South Sudan celebrates 'historic' launch of direct Turkish Airlines flights

By Benjamin Takpiny

JUBA, South Sudan (AA) – Turkish Airlines on Wednesday launched directs flight to South Sudan’s capital Juba.

South Sudan has become the 129th country in the Turkish flag carrier’s international network.

Turkish Airlines will operate flights between Juba and Istanbul three days a week – Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

James Wani Igga, one of South Sudan’s five vice presidents, hailed Turkish Airlines as a force that “unites people, cultures and countries.”

“The people of South Sudan are grateful that they now have direct access to Europe without having to connect through a third country. For this, we have great appreciation for the Turkish government and people,” he said at a ceremony in Juba.

On a lighter note, Igga joked that the quality of service provided by Turkish Airlines is so high that “people will switch to it from other airlines.”

He called on the Turkish carrier to provide scholarships and training programs for South Sudanese pilots and aviation staff.

Taban Deng Gai, another vice president of South Sudan, said Turkish Airlines’ operations “will boost trade and tourism between us and cement our close ties that go back in history.”

This will be a step that brings “Turkish companies, big and small, and their investment to South Sudan,” he added.

Turkish Ambassador to South Sudan Erdem Mutaf said Wednesday’s launch was a “historic moment that will open new avenues for bilateral cooperation between our countries and create opportunities for investment from both sides.”

Bilal Eksi, CEO of Turkish Airlines, said Türkiye and South Sudan enjoy “a relationship that is becoming stronger each year” and Turkish Airlines will help enhance “trade, business and cultural ties” between the two countries.

Emphasizing Africa’s growing importance in trade and tourism, he said Turkish Airlines will continue its efforts to expand operations across the continent.​​​​​​​

Turkish Airlines saw a net profit of $161 million in the first quarter of this year, while its revenue in the January-March period totaled $3.1 billion.

A total of 12.7 million passengers used the airline during the first quarter, with an occupancy rate of 83.6% on domestic flights and 68.6% on international flights.

* Ovunc Kutlu contributed to this report from Ankara