Juba International Airport - File photo.

The South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority has issued a directive to suspend some domestic and cargo flights operation at Juba International Airport from the 2^nd to the 5^th of February, 2023.

Saleh Akot Anywan, the General-Manager of Juba International Airport said the suspension of flights is due to the two-day visit of Pope Francis.

Akot also stated that the VIP terminal of the airport will be closed for travelers during the pontiff stay in the country.

He said the flights operation will resume on February 6, 2023.

When contacted for a comment, Juba Airport Director-General Kur Kuol clarified that they are not going to close the airport.

Kuol said they will only make some arrangements for the Pope’s coming.

“I think it is the coming of the Pope but that doesn’t mean to ban all the flights. It is for big aircraft because up to now I don’t know how many planes will come from that date so no problem. We are not closing the airport but we will make some arrangements.”

According to the Vatican, Pope Francis will land in Kinshasa, the capital of DR Congo on January 31, where he will spend two days.

He will make the African trip alongside the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

He will then board a flight to Juba on February 3, where he is expected to hold prayers, and meet the authorities, religious leaders as well as internally displaced persons.

The long-awaited visit of the Pontiff was canceled in July last year due to health problems.

The historic papal trip will  mark the first time a pope has visited South Sudan, and only the second time a pope has visited the DRC, which is home to Africa’s largest Catholic population.