On Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, Sudan Airways’ sole operational aircraft returned to Port Sudan Airport from India, allowing the state-owned carrier to resume flights after a six-month-long grounding for maintenance.
Sudan Airways’ sole Airbus A320 underwent major maintenance and detailed inspections at specialised technical centres in India to meet international aviation safety standards.
The airline, locally known as Sudanair, suspended all operations on July 11, 2025, for periodic maintenance and to improve fleet efficiency.
Flight resumption, routes and promotional strategy
The airline said it would offer promotional fares to rebuild passenger confidence, with one-way tickets from Port Sudan to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, scheduled on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, priced at 800,000 Sudanese pounds (about $1330) and return legs at 850,000 Sudanese pounds (about $1413). Flight to Cairo will cost 650,000 Sudanese pounds (about $1080), with the return flight priced at 750,000 Sudanese pounds (about $1247).
Sudan Airways is planning a phased strategy to rebuild its domestic and international network, aligning with Sudan’s broader effort to revive its aviation sector. The airline will also offer increased baggage allowance as part of its promotional incentives.
Sudan Airways, in its statement, gave thanks to Sudanese Finance Minister Gibril Ibrahim and Sudanese Transport Minister Saif al-Nasr al-Tijani, as well as Sudanese Central Bank Governor Amna Mirghani Hassan, for facilitating the aircraft’s return. Sudan Airways also shared in its statement that the state support for the airline:
“reflects a belief in its national role and embodies institutional cooperation during difficult circumstances”.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of Sudan said that the resumption was a vital step in restoring the national carrier’s service, noting that Sudan Airways is essential for regional connectivity and economic activity.
Structural challenges, conflict impact and aviation context
Despite the resumption, Sudan Airways faces significant hurdles, including a diminished fleet, administrative and financial challenges, and technical constraints such as operating with a severely reduced and ageing fleet.
Sudan Airways remains banned from European Union airspace, limiting its international competitiveness.
The airline’s operations are restarting amid an ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which erupted in April 2023, and has devastated the country’s infrastructure, including the main Khartoum International Airport (KIA), which is the airline’s main headquarters.
Khartoum International Airport is expected to reopen in 2026. In the meantime, Port Sudan New International Airport continues to serve as Sudan’s primary international gateway. International sanctions have previously limited the airline’s access to spare parts, which accelerated fleet decline. Fleet renewal plans have been discussed for years, such as reports of potential Saudi support for new aircraft in 2017, but these plans have yet to materialise.
There are other airlines from Sudan, such as Badr Airlines and Tarco Aviation, which have continued to operate as low-cost carriers using Airbus A320 aircraft.
Have you ever travelled with Sudan Airways? What was your experience like? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
