A Uganda’s first flight has landed at Juba International Airport on Friday after nearly six months of the coronavirus lockdown, which forced the closure of several international airports and grounded airlines.

Uganda Airlines flight to South Sudan was launched a year ago at the Juba International Airport. The aviation company operated for just six months before its suspension in March this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the aviation industry the hardest.

Paul Turacayisenga, the Director of Finance told the media at Juba International Airport upon arrival on Friday that they will restart operation with four flights every week from Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday in this month and would increase to more frequencies in the coming months.

“We are offering great connections via Bujumbura, Kilimanjaro, Mombasa and Zanzibar and with other Africa network expansion in progress,” he explained.

 Paul explained that they resumed operations despite the prevalence of COVID-19, which calls for a concerted effort for everyone to manage the spread of the virus.

“We commit to keeping passengers safe and healthy, through strict adherence to approved standard operational procedures in compliance with national and international guidelines for safe air travel,” he said.

However, airports across the network issued guidelines that passengers would have to comply with the measures such as social distancing, wearing masks, and sanitization and temperature checks.

“Passengers will be required to present to the airline proof of negative test result for COVID-19 and the test must have been taken at least 72 hours prior to the date of the planned flight. The test for COVID-19 must have been done by a health facility accredited by the government,” Turacayisenga said.

He further highlighted that they would continue to offer best services in terms of on-board safety.

Davde Subek Dada, Chief Executive Officer South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority stated that COVID-19 has affected people in different ways but what matters was that Uganda and South Sudan are now connected.

“The most important thing here is that the airport is reopened and we are very happy that our people are have now reconnected,” he said.

South Sudan COVID-19 cases is now 2,704 since COVID19 hit the country.