JUBA - (Xinhua) - Turkish Airlines on Wednesday launched its first direct flight to South Sudan.

Taban Deng Gai, South Sudan Vice President for Infrastructure Group, said the Ankara-based airline will launch three weekly flights from Istanbul to South Sudan's capital, Juba.

Gai said during the launching ceremony of the line in Juba that the launch of direct flights will enhance close cooperation between the civil aviation sectors of the two countries.

He added that they hope to use this opportunity to attract Turkish companies to invest in various sectors of South Sudan's economy.

On his part, Bilal Aksi, CEO of Turkish Airlines said that traveling to Juba will help in strengthening the already close bilateral relations between Juba and Ankara.

"It is with great pleasure that I celebrate our first flight from Istanbul to Juba, which is our 62nd destination to Africa," Exey said.