First flight lands at Khartoum airport despite two drone strikes in 24 hours
Khartoum, Sudan (PANA) - A civilian aircraft landed at Khartoum Airport on Wednesday in the first flight marking the return of civil aviation at the Sudanese capital in more than two years, the management of the airport announced.
This is despite two drone attacks on the airport in 24 hours in an attempt to thwart the efforts of the government to reopen the facility, the local media reported quoting the management of the airport.
Sudan Tribune, a Sudan media outlet, quoted a statement by the Civil Aviation Authority as saying the landing of a Badr Airlines civilian aircraft at the Airport marked the official resumption of operations after the airport was closed two years ago when the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began.
The airport’s reopening was in doubt after suffering two drone strikes by the RSF on Tuesday and Wednesday in an attempt to disrupt its planned reopening on Wednesday for domestic flights.
“A Badr Airlines plane landed (a short while ago) at Khartoum International Airport, thereby announcing the inauguration of the airport and the return of air traffic from the capital,” the airport administration said in a press statement on its official page, Sudan Tribune reported.
It said that this represents “a significant step” in the recovery of the Sudanese aviation sector and the gradual return of air traffic.
Sudan Tribune quoted sources as saying that the Badr Airlines flight landed without passengers and took off about two hours after its arrival.
It noted that Khartoum airport suffered extensive damage as it was located within the zone of fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which had controlled it since the first day of the war in April 2023.
However, after the SAF regained full control of Khartoum state, the authorities began comprehensive maintenance and rehabilitation of the airport as part of the government’s efforts to normalise public life in the capital and prepare for the return of citizens.
On Tuesday, Sudan’s Sovereign Council released video clips showing army chief Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan at the airport shortly after it was shelled.
Sudan’s Airports Company did not issue any clarification regarding a new date for the airport’s reopening, the media outlet said.
It added that the booking schedule for Badr Airlines, which was set to operate the first flight, showed that flights for 22-25 October had been postponed. The new schedule indicates the first flight is now planned for 26 October.
-0- PANA MA 23Oct2025
