Panafrican News Agency

Brussels Airlines flight to Kigali returns to Brussels after closure of Sudan’s airspace

Kigali, Rwanda (PANA) - Following the military take over in Sudan and the consequent closure of the Sudanese air space, Brussels Airlines passengers heading from Belgium to Kigali were forced late Thursday to return to Brussels,  according to a statement from the airline obtained Friday by PANA in Kigali.

 

Authorities announced the closure of Sudan’s airspace for at least 24 hours.

 

"As a consequence of the coup [in Sudan], Brussels Airlines flight SN465 operated by Airbus A330-200 registered OO-SFY, which was on its way to Kigali, was forced to return to Brussels while it was flying over the Red Sea off the Egyptian coast, near the Sudanese border," the statement said.

 

Reacting to the incident, Brussels Airlines spokesperson Kim Daenen, was quoted as saying that there was no option than to return the aircraft to Brussels.

 

After three decades in power, Sudan’s President Hassan Omar al-Bashir was overthrown late Thursday by a military coup amid widespread protests that started in 2018.

 

The country’s economic crisis has been exacerbated by the secession in 2011 of oil-rich South Sudan, denying Khartoum a large portion of oil revenue.

-0- PANA TWA/VAO 12April2019