A number of travelers between Khartoum and Juba welcomed the agreement which was signed between the governments of Sudan and South Sudan on the resumption of flights after a hiatus of more than four months.
The cut-off of flights last April had divided many families. They were left only with the option of traveling via a third country. A number of citizens planning to travel between the two nations were interviewed by Radio Tamazuj and they stated that the agreement was in favor of the people of the two nations, and that it paves the way for establishing a fraternal neighborhood relationship.
They also added that they have suffered a lot because of the hiatus of direct flights between Khartoum and Juba and now travel through Ethiopian, Kenya and Egyptian Airline using the Khartoum – Addis Ababa – Juba route, an expensive journey which they say costs more than five thousand Sudanese pounds, and lasts for more than 10 hours.
Travelers stressed that the Khartoum-Addis Ababa-Juba route was a real burden for children, the sick and the elderly. Sources close to Radio Tamazuj from Khartoum stated that people there welcomed the signing of the agreement and the decision by Sudan, saying that it represents an affirmation of lasting relations between the two nations.
Related content: Khartoum and Juba agree to resume air traffic (3 September 2012)