After Years of Silence, Sudan Airways Lands First Commercial Flight at Khartoum International Airport

A Sudan Airways passenger jet landed at Khartoum International Airport (KRT) on Sunday, February 1, 2026.

This arrival marks the first commercial flight into the capital since the civil war erupted in April 2023. The domestic service originated in Port Sudan, which served as the interim government seat. The flight carried 160 passengers, including students and government employees.

Its landing is a powerful symbolic step toward national recovery and stability. Some passengers knelt to kiss the tarmac upon disembarking. Traditional ululations echoed across the airfield in celebration.

The Cost of Conflict on Aviation

Khartoum International Airport was a key flashpoint when the conflict began. It suffered repeated bombardments over two years of fighting. Government forces finally regained control of the site in March 2025.

Rehabilitation has been a slow and very costly process. Sudan’s Ministry of Transport estimates the conflict caused $2.7 billion in losses to the country’s aviation sector. Satellite analysis from the Sanad Verification Agency indicates roughly 50 planes were damaged or destroyed between 2023 and 2025. This includes aircraft from both national and foreign carriers.

Initial repair efforts cost the state treasury about $350 million. This spending focused mainly on resurfacing the runway and securing a temporary terminal. The Hajj and Umrah terminal is currently handling all arrivals and departures.

Security and Operational Challenges

Officials stress the airport is now fully secured and operational. Mohammad Jafar, Director of Aviation Security Operations, provided this assurance. The resumption of flights follows a period of relative calm in the capital. The Sudanese government officially relocated its headquarters back to Khartoum on January 11.

However, the path to full recovery remains long and difficult. The airport’s current operational capacity is severely limited. Al-Khatim Babiker Al-Tayeb, director general of the Sudan Airports Company, noted the airport can only handle four aircraft at a time. This is a small fraction of its pre-war capacity.

• Limited Capacity: Only four aircraft can be handled simultaneously.
• Security Risk: Previous attempts to reopen were disrupted by drone attacks.
• Infrastructure Damage: Scarred infrastructure surrounds the operational hub.

This is technically the second commercial landing since the war began. A Badr Airlines flight landed in October 2025, but drone attacks quickly halted further service. This Sudan Airways flight represents the first sustained return of scheduled service.

Future Outlook and Regional Impact

For now, the service is limited to the domestic Khartoum–Port Sudan route. Authorities plan to expand to regional and international flights as security stabilizes. Until then, Port Sudan International Airport will remain the country’s primary gateway for international travel. The International Organization for Migration estimates 1.4 million residents have returned to the city. Restoring air connectivity is vital for the city’s economic and social revival. The challenge is maintaining security to attract international carriers and investment. A Civil Aviation Authority official warned that receiving this flight does not mean everything is back to normal. The scarred infrastructure serves as a constant reminder of the ongoing post-conflict infrastructure rehabilitation needs.

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