The report presented bellow present recommendations for drafting a plan to adapt the existing aviation systems in South Sudan to an inter-agency aviation service, anticipating higher demands during the post war phase. Because of the increasing humanitarian needs in Western Sudan, the scope of the overview was widened to include options for supporting humanitarian operations in Darfur.

A strong Humanitarian system is presently in place that is being conducted from the North (Khartoum) and from the South (Lokichoggio).  These systems vary in accounting as the system in the North is done on a “free” basis (SO and EMOP) whilst the system in the South (Targeted Aircraft Funding-TAF) is on a full cost recovery basis.  The two systems, from Khartoum and Lokichoggio, essentially run independently from each other.

Commercial Aviation assistance in Sudan is limited and not very reliable except from the South (Lokichoggio).  The commercial market indicated that they will rapidly expand their services into Sudan as soon as the situation normalises and security aspects improve.

Various other Humanitarian Agencies also operate aircraft in Sudan such as ICRC, MAF, SCF-UK and Samaritans Purse.    

In general the Humanitarian community expressed their satisfaction with the service currently being offered.  Some concerns were noted including issues relating to transparency, prioritisation, fixed cost concerns and coordination forums. The majority of these UN related issues would be alleviated with the establishment of a Users Group Committee (UGC) in implementation of WFP Directive OD2004/001 dated 13 Jan 2004.  

Other concerns voiced by NGO’s were the restriction from the GoS with regards to clearances and access to some locations. The GoS also indicated that the clearance process will be simplified after the peace framework had been formalised. A number of stake holders voiced concern with regards to prioritisation and access between the Humanitarian Community and the Department of Peace Keeping Operations (DPKO) once DPKO is deployed. 

A major concern that had been identified is the lack of sufficient Airspace Management in Sudan.  This includes, but is not limited to flight control, flight following, Search and Rescue, Air traffic control at airfields and general aviation safety.   It is recommended that assistance be sought from DPKO as well as other Member States in order to create sufficient capacity thereby ensuring that aviation safety is not jeopardised in the post war phase.

It is envisaged that there will be an initial increase in demand for aviation assistance to comply with the increased demand.  Gradually the increased demand on Humanitarian aviation capacity, mainly WFP assets, will reduce as the roads become more accessible and commercial transport by land, water and air is being established.

It is foreseen that a gradual migration from UN Air assistance to commercial air assistance will take place as the commercial market develop.  It is also envisaged that the Operation out of Lokichoggio will slowly migrate into Sudan, possibly Juba or Rumbek.  Various recommendations are formulated concerning security as airfields, general aviation safety aspects and maintenance.

At present more than 300 airstrips are in use in Sudan.  It is recommended that identified airstrips be improved where possible to enhance overall safety.

It is recommended that liaison at senior level takes place between DPKO and UNWFP in order to coordinate and assist each other in Aviation matters for the post war phase in Sudan.

Conclusion: a dedicated Air Service will be vital for supporting humanitarian assistance in South Sudan, in particular during the initial post-war phase.  As the situation evolves and the aviation safety and security environment improve, the need for such an Air Service may decrease gradually. In addition, the lack of security and the increasing need for transporting humanitarian workers into the Darfurs may require a  significant augmentation of the passenger air transport capacity in Khartoum. Therefore it is recommended that the necessary actions are taken to adapt the current services into a centrally managed common United Nations Humanitarian Air Service for both, the humanitarian crisis in Darfur and the post-war phase in South Sudan.   This Service should consist of a network of one fixed operations base in Khartoum and at least one more fixed operations base in the South from where light aircraft are dispatched to field destinations.  It is further recommended that attention be given to fixed scheduling, fixed costing, transparency and the urgent implementation of WFP Directive OD2004/001 dated 13 Jan 2004.