Jetlink suspends flights

Jetlink Express Ltd has suspended all flights with effect Friday.

"This has been necessitated by our inability to access over USD2 million of our air ticket sales in South Sudan. Nearly all of our ticket sales in South Sudan are transacted in local South Sudanese pounds," said a press statement.

"Despite the worsening scarcity of foreign currency in South Sudan since January 2012, Jetlink has persevered in servicing Nairobi-Juba route based on the support we have received from the Government of South Sudan and from our bankers here in Kenya," added the statement.

The statement noted that the airline was unable to meet short term obligations particularly fuel bills, which constitute 40 per cent of operating costs after their lenders stopped offering assistance.

"We take this opportunity to sincerely apologise to all our esteemed customers and partners across the region for the inconveniences caused to them by this suspension of our services," said the statement