Badr Airlines has halted flights to Malakal airport, Upper Nile State, citing poor conditions of the airfield.
Badr Airlines is a privately owned company established in 2004 and registered in Sudan. The company is mainly engaged in passenger and cargo transportation and occasionally provides chartered VIP flights.
The airline flies from Juba to Malakal twice a week.
Faisal Yusuf, the manager of the Badr Airlines office in Malakal, told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that the condition of the airport had deteriorated below the minimum safety standards of the company, and the airline had contacted the relevant authorities to recondition the facility.
“We regret the suspension of flights to Malakal starting from 15th October. The company will resume flights to Malakal after the rehabilitation of the airport. The company has addressed the matter to the concerned authorities,” he said.
Buony Nhial Kueth, a resident of Malakal, expressed his regret over the suspension of Badr Airlines flights to Malakal, saying that it is sad news. Buony added that the weekly flights of Badr Company facilitated the movements of citizens.
Buony called on the state government and the National Ministry of Transport to prepare Malakal Airport for the resumption of Badr Airlines flights to Malakal.
For his part, Thon Monykuer, the director of Malakal Airport, said the airport is in good condition and receives other planes carrying passengers to and from Malakal. He said work is also underway to rehabilitate the terminals at Malakal Airport.