A new airline for a new country
05 / 09 / 2011
SOUTHERN SUDAN start-up airline Southern Star is getting off the ground thanks to Kenya-based aircraft leasing company ALS.
ALS is looking to lease aircraft to Southern Star’s cargo division, which is currently being developed.
The leasing company has signed a one-year agreement with Southern, providing a 37-seater Dehavilland Dash 8, valued at US$4.5 million (Sh400 million). It will cost the South Sudanese airline approximately $200,000 (Sh18 million) a month in leasing fees.
“This is expected to be a long-term partnership with the new start-up airline that is vying for national carrier status for the new republic of South Sudan,” ALS chief executive officer Cornwell Muleya said.
Southern Star will use the aircraft for domestic routes in the first phase of the lease. The second phase will incorporate larger aircraft under a long-term lease, likely an Embraer 145, which can undertake international flights.
