(JUBA) – A decision by British defence company BAE Systems to withdraw support for a key aircraft type has disrupted humanitarian flights to South Sudan and other crisis affected countries in East and Central Africa, raising concerns for aid delivery and regional business activity linked to logistics and aviation.
BAE Systems has ended technical and certification support for the Advanced Turbo Prop aircraft. This move has effectively grounded the last commercial aircraft still used to deliver humanitarian supplies to remote areas, including parts of South Sudan where road access is limited or unsafe.
The company said the decision follows the closure of its commercial aviation division as it shifts focus to defence projects. This comes as European countries and NATO members increase military spending. Aid operators, however, say the timing has caused serious disruption to life saving operations.
The Advanced Turbo Prop aircraft has been widely used by United Nations agencies, including the World Food Programme, because it can land on short and rough airstrips common in South Sudan, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These aircraft play a vital role in reaching communities cut off by conflict or flooding.
Since 2023, Kenya based EnComm Aviation has been the only remaining operator of this aircraft type worldwide. Between March 2023 and September 2025, EnComm aircraft delivered 18,677.13 metric tonnes of aid cargo across several countries, including South Sudan.
EnComm said it was surprised by BAE’s decision. The company stated that it had been led to believe that technical support would continue for at least five years as long as the aircraft remained in use. Instead, support was fully withdrawn just over a year later.
According to EnComm, there was no consultation before the withdrawal notice was issued on 27 May 2025. This came only days after the company received approval for a one year World Food Programme contract covering aid deliveries in South Sudan and neighbouring countries.
The impact has been immediate. EnComm has closed its operations in Kenya, leading to more than fifty job losses and the cancellation of its aid contract. This has reduced available air transport capacity for humanitarian agencies operating in South Sudan.
The decision has also placed financing arrangements at risk. In 2017, EnComm secured a loan of 16 million United States dollars to purchase four aircraft. At the current market rate, this equals about 113.6 billion South Sudanese pounds. The loan was backed by Swedish export credit agencies, which now face potential losses if the aircraft cannot return to service.
BAE’s move comes as defence spending rises across Europe. The United Kingdom has pledged to increase defence spending to three percent of gross domestic product, while NATO plans to move towards five percent by 2035. During this period, BAE has continued to win large defence contracts.
EnComm has sent a legal notice to BAE Systems, seeking up to 250 million United States dollars in claimed losses and damages. The case highlights the fragile nature of humanitarian logistics in South Sudan, where air transport remains essential for delivering food, medicine, and emergency supplies.
Aid transport facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Aircraft affected | Advanced Turbo Prop |
| Main users | UN agencies, WFP |
| Aid delivered since 2023 | 18,677.13 metric tonnes |
| Financing at risk | USD 16 million or SSP 113.6 billion |
| Jobs lost | More than 50 |
