Juba Airport Embarks on Multi Project Transformation

(JUBA) – The South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority (SSCAA) has rolled out a comprehensive series of infrastructure upgrades and safety improvements at Juba International Airport aimed at raising the country’s aviation standards to international levels.

According to the aviation body, the latest developments mark significant progress in modernising one of South Sudan’s key gateways for trade, travel and humanitarian operations.

The SSCAA has engaged MaceYMR Construction Company to conduct a full engineering assessment and technical verification of all ongoing works at the airport.

The review will ensure that construction projects meet global aviation standards. The meeting to launch this initiative was attended by senior officials, including Hon. John Woja Elinana, Director General of SSCAA, and Mr. Daffalla Habib Awongo, Director for Corporate Services.

Among the notable upgrades is the construction of a modern fire fighting facility, featuring a state of the art fire engine and a newly built water tank near the airport’s Fire Brigade station. The initiative strengthens emergency response capacity and enhances passenger and aircraft safety.

The SSCAA has also embarked on several projects to improve operational efficiency and environmental sustainability. Working with Jebel Aviation Logistics, the Authority is implementing projects that include the construction of the North Eastern Perimeter Access Road, installation of solar panels at the VIP Lounge, airport lighting, street lights along Terminal Drive and UNMISS Road and vegetation clearance to maintain airfield visibility.

Additional works include rehabilitation of the airport’s old perimeter fence to secure the Container Village and the reclamation of swampy areas in the South-West sector to allow future expansion.

In another move to improve passenger experience, the Authority has started constructing a new waiting shade at the arrival terminal. This complements the ongoing expansion of the airport parking lot, which has now reached the asphalt laying stage. Once completed, it will enhance accessibility, safety, and convenience for passengers and airport users.

The SSCAA’s commitment to a safe, secure and sustainable aviation system is also evident in its regular vegetation maintenance drive, which ensures smooth ground operations and reduces wildlife hazards.

Beyond infrastructure, the SSCAA is actively strengthening its international partnerships. A delegation led by Hon. John Woja Elinana recently represented South Sudan at the 17th Global Humanitarian Aviation Conference (GHAC) held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 15 to 17 October 2025.

The conference, themed “Sustaining Lifelines: Confronting Funding Cuts in Humanitarian Aviation,” focused on addressing global funding and operational challenges in humanitarian air services.

Through participation in such global forums, SSCAA said South Sudan continues to demonstrate its commitment to improving aviation safety, enhancing cooperation and modernising air transport to better serve humanitarian and commercial needs.