Reporting by: HAN News Desk
KHARTOUM — Sudan’s Civil Aviation Authority has officially reopened Khartoum International Airport, nearly three years after it was forced to close due to the devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Officials announced that the airport has now been granted a safety certification, allowing domestic and humanitarian flights to resume operations. The reopening marks a significant step toward restoring normalcy in the war-torn capital, even as sporadic fighting continues in parts of the country.
According to aviation authorities, the first domestic flight landed in Khartoum on Wednesday, marking the airport’s first operational activity since April 2023, when fierce clashes erupted between the rival military factions.
The conflict, which began in April 2023, left Khartoum’s infrastructure — including the international airport — in ruins. During the height of the fighting, the RSF seized control of most of the capital, using strategic sites such as the airport as military positions. The Sudanese Armed Forces later reclaimed control after months of intense combat.
Officials said that extensive repair and clearance operations had been carried out to make the airport functional again, including the removal of unexploded ordnance, runway rehabilitation, and restoration of navigation and communication systems.
Despite the reopening, security risks remain high. Reports indicate that RSF fighters carried out renewed attacks in the past 48 hours in areas near the capital, raising concerns about the sustainability of safe flight operations.
A senior official from Sudan’s Civil Aviation Authority said, “This reopening is a symbol of hope and recovery for the people of Sudan. It shows that despite the destruction, the state institutions are returning to serve the public.”
The resumption of flights is expected to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery, medical evacuations, and limited passenger transport within Sudan, though international flights are not yet expected to resume.
Humanitarian organizations have welcomed the move, saying it could significantly improve access to civilians trapped in the capital and surrounding areas who have faced severe shortages of food, water, and medical supplies during the prolonged conflict.
However, analysts caution that the reopening of the airport alone does not signal stability, as peace talks between the warring sides remain fragile, and fighting continues in several parts of the country, including Darfur and Kordofan.
