Sudanair to resume flights after maintenance on sole aircraft

January 18 2026 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan’s national carrier, Sudanair, announced on Sunday it will resume flight operations this week after a six-month grounding of its only functional aircraft for maintenance.

The airline’s sole Airbus A320 is scheduled to return to service on Tuesday following comprehensive “heavy maintenance” conducted in India. The aircraft had been out of service since July 11, 2025, to undergo repairs and testing required to meet international aviation safety standards.

Sudanair plans to operate regular flights from Port Sudan to Cairo, Riyadh, and Jeddah. Flights to Jeddah are scheduled for Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with adult tickets priced at 800,000 Sudanese pounds. Daily flights to Cairo will cost 750,000 pounds. Based on current exchange rates of 3,600 pounds to the U.S. dollar, the Jeddah flight costs approximately $222.

The company stated that the resumption is part of a phased strategy to expand its domestic and international network as part of broader national efforts to revive the aviation sector. To encourage travelers and support the Sudanese diaspora, the airline is offering promotional incentives, including competitive pricing and increased baggage allowances.

Despite the return of its single aircraft, Sudanair continues to face deep-seated structural challenges. The carrier remains on the European Union’s list of airlines banned from operating within its airspace and has seen its once-extensive fleet dwindle significantly over the years.

The airline also faces ongoing administrative and financial crises, alongside technical constraints that have severely impacted its competitiveness and reputation in the regional market.