Confusion as North-South flight plans are changed

Airlines operating between North and South Sudan have suddenly changed their schedules following the announcement of the election results last month.

The two main airlines operating the North-South route, Sudan Airways and Marsland Aviation, have  been accused of suddenly raising their ticket prices and changing their schedules, especially for those requesting single tickets from the North to the South. For those requesting return tickets it appears to be much easier to book and confirm a seat. Hundreds of passengers have been affected, being turned away from the airport and airlines offices. As of yet, there has not been any official information from the Sudan aviation authority to clear up why this sudden change has taken effect.

Following the election results and the pending referendum in the South next January, it is expected that thousands of Southern Sudanese living in Northern Sudan will want to return to the South before next year's referendum, when it is widely expected that South Sudan will become an independent state.

Most Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) forced to relocate to Khartoum and other Northern towns over the last 21 years of civil war are now planning to leave their temporary homes to return to Southern Sudan with a majority going to Juba due to the relatively better urban life. Many Southern Sudanese living in the Northern Sudan are returning back to their various states, some have secured plots in Juba while others have built and are repatriating their families before next year.

Air transport has been the only safe and quick means used by the majority of travelers to the South though the Kosti-Juba ship travels still operate. It takes two or three weeks to reach the Southern capital of Juba by boat and safety is not certain due to the presence of armed tribal militias along the Nile.

Some travelers at Khartoum airport expressed their great disappointment in the rise of flight costs and the unpredictability of flights. They accuse the Khartoum government of trying to block Southerners from going back home ahead of the referendum.

Nimeri Gatkuak, one of the passengers I met in the Khartoum aiport, said to me: I wonder why they have changed the flights to the South? Many of us work in the South but our families are here in Khartoum. It is also sad that this comes right after the elections that means there is a political motivation behind this move, they wanted the poor Southerners here not to go back home to the South to prepare for the referendum outcome.”

Kakule Paulina, around 32 years old and mother of three, said she had been on a waiting list for two weeks. They give tickets to those who pay for return flights but those of us who are on one way hardly get tickets. I have been coming to the airport now for two weeks but they tell me there are no flights.”  

According to some IDPs in Khartoum, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) had registered them for repatriation, however since then they have not returned to the camps. Akur Mary, an IDP, told me:  We were registered by the IOM for repatriation but I did not know where they are? Since that date of registration 'till now they did not return. I need to go home not because of the referendum but I want to be with my kin. I did not see them since 1972. I can get money in this slum that can take me to Wau”

The sudden change of schedules and fare prices for Southerners appears to be obstructing the repatriation of people to Southern Sudan while also affecting commerce and aid supplies to the South from Khartoum. I will be investigating further to discover how the airlines account for these changes.