Khartoum International Airport (KRT) received its first passenger flight on 1 February 2026 since the outbreak of war in Sudan in 2023, marking a soft reopening of the airport and the return of Sudan Airways operations.
The domestic flight, operated by Sudan Airways and carrying civilian passengers including Prime Minister Kamel Idris, arrived in Khartoum from Port Sudan. The airline announced that the service would be offered at a promotional fare of SDP200,000 (approximately USD50), as part of its commitment to serving citizens and easing travel burdens.
Following the destruction of Khartoum International Airport during the ongoing war, Port Sudan International Airport became Sudan’s only operational international airport, as Port Sudan assumed the role of provisional capital. Khartoum International Airport has remained closed since April 2023 after sustaining extensive damage in the conflict. After repeated delays, the airport is now expected to reopen in 2026. Until then, Port Sudan New International Airport (PZU) continues to serve as Sudan’s primary international gateway.
As relative safety and security began to return to parts of Sudan, more than 3.3 million Sudanese people, displaced both internally and externally, returned to their homes across nine states in November 2025, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). In an announcement on 26 January 2026, the IOM reported that an estimated 3,334,705 people returned to around 2,500 locations across 65 localities. Khartoum recorded the highest number of returnees, with at least 1.4 million people, followed by Al Gezira, where approximately 1.1 million have returned.
More displaced Sudanese are expected to return once Khartoum International Airport becomes fully operational and resumes both domestic and international flights. The airport is expected to reopen in the first quarter of 2026.
Sudan’s national carrier, Sudan Airways (SD), also known as Sudanair, announced that it will resume flight operations last month, following a six-month grounding of its only operational aircraft for maintenance. The airline’s sole Airbus A320 resumed flights to Cairo, Egypt and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 20 January 2026 from Port Sudan International Airport.
The airline returned to service after undergoing comprehensive heavy maintenance in India. The aircraft had been out of operation since 11 July 2025 to complete repairs and testing required to meet international aviation safety standards. With its return, Sudan Airways plans to operate regular flights from Port Sudan to Cairo, Riyadh, and Jeddah. Flights to Jeddah are scheduled on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with adult fares priced at SDP800,000 (USD1,330), while daily flights to Cairo are priced at SDP750,000 (USD1,247).
The war in Sudan began on 15 April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Since then, the conflict has displaced over 12 million people and resulted in the deaths of more than 150,000. Sudan is now facing the world’s largest displacement crisis and one of its worst humanitarian emergencies.
Many took to social media to celebrate the return of Sudan Airways and the soft opening of Khartoum International Airport.
🇸🇩 ✈️ | Great joy in Sudan’s capital as the first scheduled flight arrives from Port Sudan in eastern Sudan to Khartoum International Airport after a three-year suspension caused by the UAE 🇦🇪-backed RSF militia’s destabilization.
— Salman Al-Ansari | سلمان الأنصاري (@Salansar1) February 2, 2026
Congratulations to all Sudanese 💚✌️ pic.twitter.com/jGZuGIFW9L
Significant moment! 🇸🇩
— AlMigdad Hassan (@AlMigdadHassan0) February 1, 2026
The first Sudan Airways flight from Port Sudan has landed in Khartoum with 160 passengers.
Just 10 months ago, this airport was a battlefield and in ruins. Today, it marks hope and a step toward recovery of the capital. pic.twitter.com/Jm1Udqgj7X
🔴 A step in the sky hope on the ground. The return of Khartoum Airport, and the national carrier Sudanair back in the skies.#Sudan #News pic.twitter.com/roWrWUF6d9
— Abdallah Hussain (@ABDALLAH_HSS) February 1, 2026
خطوة في السماء وأمل على الأرض، عودة مطار الخرطوم، وعودة الناقل الوطني سودانير إلى الأجواء.
— 𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐅𝐀 (@Mos_sd1) February 1, 2026
A step in the sky hope on the ground. The return of Khartoum Airport, and the national carrier Sudanair back in the skies.#Abdallah_Hussain pic.twitter.com/960TVOdPrW
#فيديو/ يوم تاريخي في #السودان … حطت أول طائرة ركاب مدنية الخطوط الجوية السودانية #Sudanair
— عبدالله الشايجي Prof (@docshayji) February 1, 2026
في رحلة جوية هي الأولى تهبط في مطار العاصمة الخرطوم الدولي منذ بدء الحرب الأهلية المدمرة في أبريل 2023…..
الله يتمم ويحفظ السودان الشقيق
Congrats….
First civilian flight lands at… pic.twitter.com/3Vor7zGKN5
