By Manas James Okony
David Martin Hassan, a respected leader in the civil aviation industry and the transport ministry’s technical advisor, passed away on Sunday at the age of 71, as confirmed by his family.
In a statement to No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper, his brother, Paul Martin Hassan, revealed that David had been battling pancreatic cancer for a year.
“My brother had been ill for some time, and he passed away at 9 PM on Sunday at a hospital in Gudele,” he shared.
The family is currently making arrangements to transport the body of the esteemed civil servant to his hometown of Wau for burial.
David Hassan Martin began his distinguished career in the aviation industry in 1985 as an officer with Sudan Airways, having initially worked as an air ticket booking agent in Khartoum.
After gaining valuable experience, he travelled to the United Kingdom for further training in civil aviation before returning to Khartoum to continue his work.
In 2005, following the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), David Martin Hassan returned to South Sudan to contribute to the nation-building efforts.
He served as the undersecretary for the transport ministry for nine years, took charge of the Civil Aviation Authority, and eventually became the ministry’s technical advisor, a role he held until his passing.
He is remembered for his significant contributions to the development of Juba, Rumbek, and Wau airports, leaving a lasting impact on South Sudan’s aviation infrastructure.