Ivory coast’s national carrier, Air Cote d’Ivoire, has resumed flights to Ebola hit nations to ease movement of aid workers fighting the epidemic.

This move makes the airline – jointly owned by  to become the first African airline to resume flights to Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, the hardest hit countries.

International and regional carriers seized operations these countries in July after Patrick Sawyer, a Liberian, flew into Nigeria with the virus, sparking a month-long scare and taking the lives of nine individuals.

Currently, the only European airline that flies to all three countries is Brussel Airline NV.

“The airline’s passenger screening procedures and local safety precautions have been effective,” said Bernard Gustin Chief Executive Officer of Brussel Airline.

He also revealed that most of its passengers were on medical mission or aid workers.