(JUBA) – The South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority has announced plans to license the country’s first group of air traffic controllers under a new national certification system. The move is designed to improve aviation oversight and bring South Sudan into line with international standards.
This announcement follows the recent launch of the country’s first fully independent air traffic management system. That system operates from the control tower at Juba International Airport and now allows the Civil Aviation Authority to monitor and manage South Sudan’s airspace on its own. Before this, the country had relied on external assistance for these services since gaining independence in 2011.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Authority confirmed that the first group of trained air traffic controllers will sit their licensing examinations on June 18. These candidates have just finished a 12 month training programme at the East African School of Aviation. If they pass the exams, they will be licensed to provide air traffic services within South Sudanese airspace.
The new Aviation Personnel Licensing System represents a significant shift for the country’s aviation sector. By certifying its own professionals under national regulations, South Sudan reduces its dependence on external certification bodies. The Authority stated that licences for aviation personnel will be issued in stages over the coming months. This process aims to strengthen compliance with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization, known as ICAO.
Two senior officials, Johnson Marun Telar, Director of Safety and Security Regulations, and Lemi Peter Abdallah, Director of Air Navigation Services, confirmed that the Authority is ready to issue licences under the South Sudan Civil Aviation Regulations 2026.
The Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority, Dr. Ayiei Garang Deng Ayiei, said the agency has worked for the past six months with partners to put in place the systems, regulations and procedures needed for personnel licensing and certification. He described the development as a major step forward in building the country’s aviation oversight ability and regulatory independence.
For the business community in South Sudan, a fully regulated and independently managed airspace holds considerable economic importance. Reliable air traffic control services are essential for attracting international airlines, encouraging trade and supporting the movement of goods and people.
The investment made in training these controllers and establishing the new licensing system involves considerable cost. While the Authority has not published exact figures, aviation training programmes of this nature typically require thousands of US dollars per candidate.