Imotong State government has suspended all humanitarian and commercial flights in and out of Torit to allow the reconstruction and extension of the airstrip.
All flights to Torit are temporarily stopped to allow engineers expand the runway and bury all potholes before the rainy season begins in March, Nartisio Loluke, State Governor told Journalists Tuesday, Radio Emmanuel reports.
He says humanitarian flights like WFP have to negotiate with UN Mission in Torit to land in its premises as an alternative.
Airline companies welcomed the decision, saying it will allow bigger planes to land, but that some passengers travelling on roads could be at risk.
Viola Lino is one of the passengers who have booked with the Joint Star Aviation to travel to Juba says the closure will seriously affect people.
Airline Companies say the fourteen days will cause them loses, but better than having a bad airstrip.
Peter Anyang, Momentum Aviation Manager in Juba, says the reconstruction of Torit airstrip will enable bigger planes to land.
The reconstruction work is done in collaboration with UNMISS as Torit airstrip remains closed for fourteen days as of February 7.
After July fighting and increasing highway robbery on Torit-Juba road, new aviation companies like Joint Star and Momentum started offering flights to Torit.
This has made Torit airstrip become one of the busy runways as the number of customers increased.