Ex-Civil Aviation Director Calls for Sector Reform

Sudanhorizon – Hala Hamza
The former Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority, Ibrahim Adlan, has stressed the need for reforming the Sudanese aviation sector and for setting up a new board of directors for the Civil Aviation Authority.

Adlan told Sudanhorizon that forming a new board of directors is the correct approach to re-establishing the sector on sound legal and professional foundations, not merely an administrative procedure. He pointed out that the authority and independence of the board have been clearly eroded recently.

Adlan emphasized the importance of the board in correcting what he described as the “institutional deviation,” restoring the dignity of the state, enabling it to fulfill its international obligations, and protecting the rights of employees.

He stressed that there are several challenges that must be addressed for the board to succeed. The first is its commitment to complete independence and its avoidance of political interference and any non-technical oversight in order to reform the sector. He indicated that the board should include air navigation experts, air safety specialists, international aviation lawyers, and experts in air transport economics.

The former director of the Civil Aviation Authority stressed the importance of separating oversight from operations, noting that the overlapping roles between the regulatory and operational bodies had caused serious imbalances in the past. This requires a rigorous institutional restructuring to prevent conflicts of interest and restore clarity of responsibilities.
Adlan called on the council to reclaim its usurped legal authority and regain control over overflight fees, given that these fees are for navigational services and not a sovereign resource. He also called for the elimination of any deductions for the benefit of the Ministry of Finance and the complete redirection of revenues to support air navigation services.
The expert criticized the withdrawal of the Board authority to manage the service regulations, asserting that this has weakened job security, restricted recruitment and promotions, and subjected a specialized technical sector to general rules unsuitable for its nature.
He emphasized the need to rectify this immediately by reissuing an independent regulation aligned with international standards, ensuring professional fairness and job security, and protecting the rights of civil aviation employees, who are the primary safety element in the air transport system. He argued that infringing upon their rights leads to a brain drain, a decline in performance, and poses a direct threat to air safety.

Adlan stressed the need to uphold acquired rights, reviewing and reversing any reductions made after 2023, and linking incentives to performance and safety. He also called for the reinstatement of the Board of Directors’ authority to approve training programs, the withdrawal of which had disrupted training programs, restricted scholarships, and weakened continuing education.
The former director has meanwhile stated that this was not a conflict between institutions, but rather a correction of a flawed approach. Therefore, the Board must pursue legal avenues, challenging the unlawful amendments and relying on international agreements and the international track by addressing the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
He emphasized the importance of seeking technical opinions to support the sector’s independence.
Adlan explained that weakening the sector leads to lost revenue, a decline in air traffic, and damage to the country’s reputation. He cautioned that the new Board must rebuild trust with airlines, modernize air navigation systems, invest in human resources, and restore Sudan to its natural position as a vital regional air corridor.

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