What are the guidelines of your policy for the next two years?
As far as airports are concerned, we are building many airports in Khartoum, Malakal, Elobied, Niala, Alfashir and Jongili. These can all be considered big airports but still the number of flights and passengers have a low rate, and the first priority we are discussing with the governors of this areas is to retain the number of passengers and increase the volume of cargo products. We are going to built a new airport in Wau in the southern Sudan and we are going to built an airport in Elgadarif. We are also responsible for Sudan Air. Now that we have airports, we plan to make use of them through efficient airlines whether
Sudanese or not, whether private or governmental
Sudan's major trading partners are among others Japan and China.What measures have you taken to improve your routes with Asian countries?
It is interesting because if you want to go to China from Sudan you should go North, to Europe, and after that to China, because you won't find a direct airline to the east. I am addressing this issue, and we are going to find during this year some airlines that will go from east to west, starting maybe from Nigeria to Chad, Cameroon, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Iran and up to China. I will discuss this with Iran Airways, so that we can find some arrangement. I think we are going to succeed may be after the end of this year.
To what extent are the US sanctions hindering the development of civil aviation in Sudan?
Unfortunately, especially in the area of aviation, the effect of embargo is very severe. For example, our airlines are using Boeing and Airbus. Boeing is American, and we are not allowed to take spare parts and maintenance from Boeing and this is very dangerous for the safety of the people who are in this airplane. Also the Airbus engine is American, and this is also a big issue. I think the problem of the airlines should be reconsidered from the conflict side because the airlines are used for carrying people, Sudanese or not Sudanese and we have to consider the safety factor. We are trying to minimize the effect as we can, so we try to make some maintenance by ourselves and sign some agreements with other companies; we have for instance an agreement with a company in Germany for the maintenance of the Airbus. I hope that the new government in America will consider this and will find a solution, because nobody gains from this
embargo.
What is your strategy to reverse the situation of Sudan Airways?
The government is considering Sudan Airways for privatization, and we have reached an agreement with a British company called Anderson. We asked them to assist us with the procedure of privatization. They are looking at the account and once completed they will submit to us a final report. They will also contact some careers and potential investors that should be interested in buying some shares of Sudan Airways. I think the government is now ready to sell Sudan Airways at the best possible price.
Have you already in mind the timeframe needed for this privatization?
I guess the next six months would be determining.
What measures have you taken to strengthen cargo activity in Sudan?
Cargo should be an important job for us, for so many reasons. Sudan is one of the largest producers of fresh products such as meat, fish, vegetable, and the markets are mainly located in the Gulf countries; so we need major airlines to take these products to the markets. This is one of the main reasons why we are building new airports in Sudan, while developing the area of Elfashir. We need more investments into this area, and everyday we are discussing this. We are also asking our governors to encourage investment in coast stores, hotels and electricity generation. Sudan has now very good relations with West Africa, and the country is perceived as a springboard to Arab countrie, so we expect our cargo volumes to benefit from that situation.
| Another topic you mentioned is safety,could you elaborate on that issue?
Safety technology is very important. Civil aviation should not allow any airline or any airport to operate if safety conditions are not met. We find difficulties in getting technical instruments, so safety cost is very high, although our airports and carriers are safe. All of us as human beings should not make the safety
expensive, we should make it available for the safety of the people.
satisfaction? customer ezWhat major services are you introducing to optimi
We agreed that the passenger should be able in a short time to go outside the airport. About customs, we are making new arrangements to make the passenger come easy and go easy. Regarding the passport, we agree also with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make new passports that can easily be checked, and classify the information reports in computer rather than to stay for long time to write it on paper. Also sometimes we open the bags of the people, and we are going to use an instrument for that. We adressed all matters to improve our services, and we created a special task force made of ten persons to shorten the
difficulties of the passengers.
As far as the visa is concerned, the Ministry of Interior is responsible for this, but I think we are going to
make some sort of arrangement with them to get the visa even in Khartoum airport in a short time.
Could you tell our readers whether you finally decided to upgrade the airport in Khartoum or to build a new airport?
This is now under discussion. To my point of view and according to what I am seeing, whatever we make in this airport is not enough, so we would have to build a new airport. We are discussing the idea with some
companies, and if we find the financing we are going to build the new airport.
What are the companies interested in that project?
We have some Chinese companies and an Iranian one also. These and our public company are responsible
for building a new airport. A Malaysian company is also offering technical assiatnce and finance.
We are trying to better manage the airport, operate it on a profit-oriented way, so that after that it would be suitable for investors to come in. For the time being, the government should discuss the building of hotels nearby the airport, some good stores, some handling services, etc… which look more profitable than building the airport itself. In any case, we are welcoming any investor willing to invest in aviation.
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