(PORT SUDAN) Turkish Airlines has restarted direct flights to Port Sudan, reopening a vital air link after a 29‑month shutdown caused by Sudan’s civil war. The carrier began service in September 2025 and will ramp up from two flights per week until September 29 to three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Tickets for promotional fares must be bought by December 15, 2025, for travel between September 17, 2025, and March 31, 2026.
The return of scheduled flights to Sudan gives families, aid workers, students, and business travelers a direct route into the country’s main Red Sea gateway, with onward global connections through Istanbul.
Service overview and schedule
- Start of service: September 2025
- Frequency: 2x weekly until September 29, 2025; 3x weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays thereafter
- Booking deadline for promo fares: December 15, 2025
- Travel window for promo fares: September 17, 2025 – March 31, 2026
Promotional pricing (sample)
- Istanbul → Port Sudan: from TRY 24,189 (about £428) round trip
- Port Sudan → Istanbul: from £467 round trip
Prices can change based on the booking channel and seat availability. With Port Sudan added, Turkish Airlines now serves 63 African cities, the largest network on the continent for any global carrier as of September 18, 2025.
Background and strategic rationale
Turkish Airlines paused flights to Sudan in April 2023 when conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces escalated. The long pause cut off a key international route for trade and family travel. Port Sudan—home to Sudan’s main seaport—remained a lifeline for aid, fuel, and agricultural exports even as conflict raged elsewhere.
The airline’s return is a measured reopening focused on the relatively stable Red Sea corridor. Company leaders described the move as both strategic and humanitarian.
Prof. Ahmet Bolat, Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee, said the new route links Port Sudan’s “commercial potential, cultural heritage, and tourism values to the world,” adding that the flights will help build bridges “from trade to tourism, and from education to cultural exchange.”
Türkiye’s Ambassador to Sudan, Fatih Yildiz, called the relaunch a sign that Turkish people “stand by their friends in difficult situations,” and said Turkish Airlines is a pillar of Turkish diplomacy.
Impact on travelers, migration, and trade
The return of direct flights to Port Sudan matters beyond tourism:
- Families split between Sudan and the diaspora can plan simpler trips with fewer layovers.
- Students gain clearer routes to connect through Istanbul for study-abroad and return trips.
- Small exporters and buyers can meet more easily—one-stop access to Europe and the Gulf.
- Aid groups benefit from more predictable air links for staff rotations and medical evacuations.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, Turkish Airlines’ move is part of a wider pattern: global carriers are restoring key African links cautiously, using flexible schedules. A three‑per‑week pattern provides stability while allowing adjustments if demand or security conditions shift.
Safety, advisories, and practical guidance
Safety remains a core concern. Travelers should keep checking official advisories and local rules before booking. The U.S. State Department’s Sudan Travel Advisory provides updated guidance on security risks, local curfews, and movement limits that can affect airport access and domestic travel. You can review the latest advisory on the U.S. State Department website.
Practical hurdles to anticipate:
– Airport transfers inside Sudan may take longer due to checkpoints.
– Domestic links from Port Sudan to other cities may be limited or change on short notice.
– Hotel availability can tighten around flight days—book early.
– Keep digital and paper copies of tickets and IDs to speed up checks.
How to secure promotional fares (step-by-step)
- Go to the airline’s website or an authorized sales office.
- Pick travel dates between September 17, 2025, and March 31, 2026.
- Buy tickets by December 15, 2025 to access promotional pricing.
- Choose flights based on the current 2x weekly pattern, noting the upgrade to 3x weekly from September 30, 2025 onward.
- Complete payment; fares may vary by channel and availability.
Commercial and diplomatic implications
Diplomatically, Turkish officials present the flights as a show of support for Sudan during a hard period. The relaunch helps counter the isolation that follows prolonged conflict and aligns with Ankara’s long-term trade and foreign policy goals in Africa.
Industry watchers expect a careful, staged return:
– Frequencies may increase if demand grows and security improves.
– Executives have signaled openness to add capacity or consider other Sudanese cities when conditions allow.
– For now, the emphasis is on making the Port Sudan route reliable.
Trade, tourism, and sector effects
- Port Sudan handles imports such as fuel and machinery and exports including oil and agricultural goods.
- Regular passenger flights support cargo belly capacity and make it easier for buyers and technicians to travel with samples or parts.
- Tour operators along the Red Sea coast hope for cautious growth in visitors, especially for diving and marine tourism, as conditions permit.
Travel tips and final takeaways
- Confirm transit visa rules with the airline before flying—Istanbul’s hub offers streamlined transfers for many nationalities but rules vary.
- Watch for schedule tweaks around holidays and peak weeks—extra seats may be added or timings adjusted.
- If bookings remain strong, expect potential timing adjustments in Istanbul to improve connections and shorten journeys.
The road back for Sudan’s aviation market will be step by step. But the return to Port Sudan demonstrates how a single route can open doors—to family visits, medical trips, study abroad, and trade missions. Travelers who act before December 15, 2025, can lock in promotional deals; all travelers should keep a close watch on official advisories and local updates as their travel dates approach.
This Article in a Nutshell
Turkish Airlines resumed direct flights to Port Sudan in September 2025 after suspending service for 29 months during Sudan’s civil war. The carrier will operate two weekly flights through September 29, 2025, then increase to three weekly services on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Promotional fares are available for travel from September 17, 2025 to March 31, 2026, provided tickets are purchased by December 15, 2025. The relaunch restores a vital Red Sea air link, aiding families, students, aid workers and traders with one-stop access via Istanbul. Passengers should monitor safety advisories, expect logistical hurdles like checkpoints and limited domestic links, and book early to secure promotional prices.
