Khartoum airport reopens after drone attacks

May 8, 2026 (KHARTOUM) — Sudan’s Civil Aviation Authority issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on Friday, reopening Sudanese airspace to international traffic, as flights began returning to Khartoum International Airport following a suspension caused by drone attacks earlier this week.

Badr Airlines successfully landed two private flights in the capital on Friday morning, according to an airport source. A third Badr flight carrying passengers from Port Sudan also arrived, marking the first scheduled movement since Monday’s strikes.

The resumption follows a targeted drone attack on Khartoum International Airport last Monday. The Sudanese government has accused Ethiopia of providing platforms for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to launch the drones that struck the airport and several other strategic sites.

Sudan’s national carrier, Sudanair, is set to resume its flights to the capital starting Saturday. Prime Minister Kamel Idris confirmed on X that the airport’s reopening coincides with the full restoration of Sudanese airspace for both domestic and international traffic.

Tarco Aviation also announced it would resume its “Port Sudan – Khartoum – Port Sudan” route on Saturday. The company notified partners and customers that the decision aligns with operational plans to restore domestic connectivity following the security disruptions.

Civil aviation officials briefed the Prime Minister on Thursday regarding technical efforts to restore normal operations and ensure the airport is ready to handle high volumes of traffic. The authority emphasized that reopening the airspace is a vital step toward normalizing air navigation and supporting national recovery.

Officials praised the professionalism of aviation workers who worked to restore the facility’s operational efficiency. The authority underscored its commitment to international safety standards as the country seeks to reintegrate into regional and global transport networks.

Khartoum International Airport had been largely out of service since the outbreak of war in April 2023, resulting in the country’s airspace being closed. While domestic flights had tentatively resumed in February, the recent drone strikes had threatened to halt progress.

The Civil Aviation Authority stated that this development represents a significant milestone in stabilizing the aviation sector and maintaining Sudan’s sovereignty over its skies.