South Sudan Civil Aviation issues formal warning
The South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority (SSCAA) has warned airline operators against overloading aircraft and breaching aviation regulations. The notice was delivered through a circular circulated on Friday.
The circular was signed by Dr. Ayiei Garang Deng, Director General of the SSCAA. The authority said the directive is intended to strengthen aviation safety and reinforce strict compliance with applicable rules (Eye Radio).
Weight and balance limits flagged as core safety issue
According to the SSCAA, the regulator has observed cases in which some operators conducted flights with loads exceeding approved weight and balance limits. The authority described the practice as a serious safety risk.
The SSCAA stated that such conduct also violates national, regional, and international aviation regulations. In its wording, the circular frames compliance as a shared responsibility between operators and oversight bodies (Eye Radio).
Cessna, Fokker, Antonov and ATR aircraft named
The circular specifically referenced operators using aircraft types including the Cessna Caravan 208, Fokker 50, Antonov AN-72, and ATR 72. For these aircraft, the regulator directed that every flight must remain within certified weight and balance limits.
Those limits, the authority said, must be the ones approved by both the manufacturer and the civil aviation authority. The SSCAA presented this requirement as non-negotiable for safe operations (Eye Radio).
Licence suspension and permit withdrawal among penalties
The authority warned that any operator found violating the requirements, including through aircraft overloading, will face penalties. It did not present the warning as advisory, but as an enforcement notice.
The measures cited include withdrawal of the Airline Operating Permit, as well as suspension or revocation of an operator’s licence by the civil aviation authority. The SSCAA’s message signals heightened scrutiny around compliance (Eye Radio).
Industry compliance expected to shape operational practices
For operators, the circular implies closer attention to operational planning, load calculations, and documentation tied to weight-and-balance procedures. In practice, airlines may need to tighten internal checks before dispatch.
By putting enforcement options in writing, the SSCAA positions safety as the primary benchmark for continued market access. The authority’s approach reflects a regulatory preference for prevention through clear standards and consequences (Eye Radio).