by Prof. Dr. Wolfgang H. Thome
New airline company ‘Goldenwings Aviation’ yesterday launched domestic flights between the South Sudanese capital of Juba and Wau, capital of the Western Bahr el Ghazal state. The airline will initially operate three passenger flights a week but also plans to operate exclusive cargo flights on demand, using, depending on load, Antonov 32, Antonov 12 and Iljushin 72 aircraft.
Airline officials were quoted to have expressed their intent to also fly from Juba to Entebbe though no further details were provided at this time.
Aviation in South Sudan is at a nascent stage and in the past have airlines often financially folded soon after their launch while on the operational side safety concerns over the use of aged Soviet era aircraft did not inspire confidence among passengers. The present turmoil in the country is seen as a bonus to local airlines as travelers opt for air transport over road transport to avoid ambushes, besides many of the key trunk roads across the South Sudan still being in poor state.
