Sun Air is in talks to resume flights to new destinations in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates as the revived carrier aims at helping establish Khartoum as a hub after losing ground to Ethiopian Airlines Group’s base in Addis Ababa, and that is if it can add enough destinations, according to Vice President Mohammed Saif speaking to Bloomberg last week.
The family-owned airline is also in talks with authorities in Uganda, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Lebanon and Syria about adding those destinations, Saif said.
“We decided to relaunch earlier this year after the complete removal of U.S. sanctions.”
“The Sudanese government is doing good things in terms of turning back to the international community.” Saif said
End of an Era
The company operated two evacuation flights from Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover, which illustrates Sudan’s improved relationship with the U.S. after the nation’s removal from a list of state sponsors of terrorism after almost 3 decades on US sanctions list.
It’s safe to say, Sudan is looking for growth after decades of mismanagement under former President Omar al-Bashir, who was ousted by the army following an uprising two years ago.
Sudan and South Sudan also re-opened their shared land borders from October 1 following an agreement reached during an official visit to the South Sudanese capital of Juba by Sudan Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok.Suda, After a decade of closure.
Although the countries did not mention air transport, they agreed on the resumption of cargo and passenger movement by land, river, and rail
Sun Air looks to fill the void left by state-owned Sudan Airways with Lufthansa Consulting, a subsidiary of German carrier Deutsche Lufthansa AG, playing the advisory role on restructuring of the airline.
The carrier is planning to use two Embraer E190s, a pair of Airbus A330s and a brace of A321s, according to the website.
By Victor Shalton Odhiambo
Photo: Courtesy-jetphotos.net
