JUBA – A South Sudanese lawmaker disclosed during a hearing on Thursday that international airlines are forced to abandon South Sudan operations due to heavy taxation at Juba International Airport.
Hon. James Lual said the airport had been charging several levies, including landing and departure fees on the UAE carrier, while regional counterparts provide the services for free.
He explained that a ticket from South Sudan to Dubai increased to 1000 dollars, while it is only 600 dollars in neighboring Uganda. According to him, this forced South Sudanese travelers to go through Uganda.
“The reason that forced Fly Dubai to suspend its operation is due to the heavy taxes being imposed at the airport,” he said.
“There is something called ASI CODE-00 to departure, South Sudan is charging 35 dollars, the rest of the countries around us are charging zero. ASI code-00 arrival, South is charging 35 dollars.”
“There is security code, N3 departure, South Sudan is charging 25 dollars, landing fees 3 dollars, SSTAA departure 30 dollars, security fees 6 dollars. All these charges made the ticket to Dubai to be 1,000 dollars. So, the passengers leave from here and travel from Uganda, where they get a ticket only for 600 dollars.”
Hon. Lual was making a clarification after the Minister of Roads and Bridges Simon Mijok Mijak, representing the Minister of Transport, claimed that the foreign carrier left because of the airport security.
“Most of us have enjoyed flydubai. I was just informed two months ago that flydubai suspended its operation. I don’t know why maybe issues related to safety.”
“If you see our town, the approach to the airport is all coming up with buildings, plus other issues being solved now by the Civil Aviation and that’s why you find the road to the airport is closed.”
On Thursday, the parliament in an extraordinary sitting, ratified four more bilateral agreements on travel and trade between South Sudan and the United Arabs Emirates, amid some resistance from MPs.
The memos are Agreement on Exemption of Entry Visa Requirements, Agreement on Air Service, Agreement for Avoidance of Double Taxation and Agreement on Bilateral Investment Treaty.
However, some lawmakers expressed concerns that the treaties will not be reciprocated, due to the unequal trade balance between both countries.
Defending the agreement on tax exemption for UAE investors, Finance Minister Athian Diing Athian, says it will encourage foreign investment and create jobs in South Sudan.