The South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority (SSCAA) has directed aircraft owners to remove grounded planes from the country or dispose of them in line with aviation regulations, in a move aimed at strengthening compliance and safety oversight.
The directive, made public on June 2, 2026, applies to aircraft grounded due to safety deficiencies, airworthiness concerns or certification issues.
The regulator stressed that such aircraft cannot remain indefinitely within South Sudan’s aviation system without corrective action.
The SSCAA also clarified that aircraft belonging to South Supreme Airlines remain grounded due to unresolved safety concerns identified during regulatory inspections. It rejected claims that the airline had been cleared to resume operations, stating that any access granted was limited to asset management and not flight activity.
The Authority further dismissed reports alleging that one of the airline’s aircraft had been hit by bullets, saying no official documentation or evidence had been submitted for investigation. The regulator reiterated that no airline will be permitted to resume operations until all safety issues are fully addressed and approved by the Authority of the State of Registry.
The directive comes amid heightened scrutiny of aviation safety in South Sudan, following previous suspensions of operators and the crash involving CityLink Aviation in May 2026, which killed at least 14 people.