(KHARTOUM, SUDAN) — Domestic passenger flights are landing at Khartoum International Airport again as of February 1, 2026. If you need to reach the capital soon, the big decision is whether to fly into Khartoum now or route via Port Sudan and keep a ground backup.
My quick recommendation: choose the Port Sudan (PZU)–Khartoum flight on Sudan Airways only if you can tolerate last‑minute schedule changes. If your trip is time-critical, plan for Port Sudan as your anchor and treat any onward flight to Khartoum as “nice to have,” not “must happen.”
Domestic passenger flights are back to Khartoum. Here’s why that matters.
On Sunday, February 1, 2026, Sudan resumed domestic passenger operations into Khartoum International Airport for the first time since the April 2023 conflict began.
For travelers, this is more than symbolic. It reopens a direct air bridge to the capital, after nearly two years when Khartoum’s main airport was effectively off the domestic map.
For airlines, it is also a major operational step. Restarting a hub means staffing, ground handling, baggage systems, and air traffic processes must all work again, often in phases.
It is still best to think in “early restart” terms. A resumption is not the same as a full return to pre‑2023 reliability or scale. You should expect:
- Limited flights at first
- Frequent schedule edits
- Inconsistent day-of-departure execution
That does not make travel impossible. It changes how you should plan it.
Your three realistic options right now (and who each one fits)
Khartoum being reachable by domestic flight again creates three workable strategies for most travelers.
Side-by-side comparison: which plan fits your trip?
| Factor | Option A: Fly into Khartoum (domestic) | Option B: Base yourself in Port Sudan, then decide | Option C: Delay Khartoum and stay flexible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Essential Khartoum trips with flexible timing | Most travelers who need a safer schedule plan | Non-urgent travel, or trips with fixed obligations |
| Reliability expectation | Moderate to low in early-stage operations | Higher, because you avoid a single “must-work” flight | Highest, because you avoid early restart volatility |
| Same-day disruption risk | Higher | Medium | Lowest |
| Cost control | Harder, due to short-notice rebooking risk | Better, since you can pivot plans locally | Best, because you can shop flights later |
| Time efficiency | Fastest when it works | Slower, but more predictable overall | Depends on when you travel |
| Comfort | Typical short-haul narrowbody comfort | Mixed, depending on ground plans | Depends on future flight options |
| Miles/points earning | Often limited partner earning | Often limited partner earning | Potentially better later, if more partners return |
| Who should avoid | Tight meetings, wedding-day arrivals, medical appointment timing | Anyone who cannot handle a split itinerary | Anyone who must be in Khartoum now |
What travelers should expect first: limited schedules, confirmations, and airport access
Early-stage route restarts rarely behave like mature schedules. Even when a flight operates, timing and processes can feel different from what you are used to in big hubs.
If you are considering flying into Khartoum International Airport now, confirm the basics more than once. Do it at booking, again 48 hours out, and again on travel day.
Here is what you should verify before you commit funds or lock in connections:
- Your exact flight number and date, and whether it has been retimed
- Airport access rules, including which entrances are open and how early you can enter
- Domestic ID requirements, including what documents are accepted for check-in
- Baggage rules, including weight limits and how excess is handled
- Check-in timing expectations, since early operations can mean earlier cutoffs
- How the airline will contact you, including working phone numbers and email access
Airline communications can also vary by channel. In many markets, WhatsApp, local agents, or airport ticket desks move faster than email. Plan for that reality before you land in-country.
One more practical point: when operations restart, the “published” time and the “actual” time can drift. Build slack into your day, even for a short hop.
⚠️ Heads Up: Treat any same-day onward plans in Khartoum as tentative. Book hotels and ground transport with flexible terms where possible.
Flight details that matter: why the Port Sudan–Khartoum link is the key bridge
The confirmed inaugural movement matters for one reason: it shows a workable domestic corridor between the country’s current aviation focal point and the capital.
Sudan Airways operated the flight carrying civilian passengers from Port Sudan (PZU) to Khartoum. In practical traveler terms, that is the most logical first step. Port Sudan has been a critical access point during the disruption period, and it remains the place many itineraries must pass through.
Aircraft type matters too, even if you do not obsess over it. A narrowbody jet can mean faster turn times than many turboprop operations, better baggage capacity for domestic demand, and more seats per departure, which can help with backlog.
It does not guarantee comfort. It does not guarantee daily frequency. It simply signals that the airline can operate a mainstream domestic shuttle.
Sudan Airways’ role is also meaningful. When the flag carrier is the first mover, it often indicates priority access to required approvals and handling, a national mandate to reconnect cities, and a restart that is more about connectivity than premium experience.
From a traveler standpoint, you should plan for basics. Think “get there,” not “best-in-class cabin.”
Operational and security backdrop: why disruptions may still occur
Sudan’s domestic aviation system has been under severe strain since April 2023. Even when flights restart, the operating environment can create irregularity that is not visible on a booking screen.
Conflict-related disruption can affect infrastructure readiness at the airport, staffing consistency including security and ground handling, and the rhythm of daily operations including baggage and boarding processes.
There is also the reality of reported drone incidents after October 2025 reopening plans were announced. The army reported intercepting attempted drone attacks. For travelers, the key takeaway is simple: operations can be interrupted with little notice, even after schedules appear to return.
So how do you plan around uncertainty without overreacting?
- Add a buffer day on each end if the trip matters
- Avoid tight, nonrefundable connections
- Keep a local contact method that works without roaming surprises
- Screenshot and print key documents in case connectivity fails
This is also where travel insurance becomes less of a luxury and more of a planning tool. Look for coverage that addresses delay, interruption, and alternative transport costs.
Routes and connectivity: what’s mentioned, and what remains unconfirmed
Right now, the connectivity picture is still forming. The clearest link is Port Sudan to Khartoum, because it connects the current domestic anchor to the capital.
Nyala is also mentioned as part of the domestic picture. That is a signal that the network may rebuild beyond a single corridor. It is not a schedule you can count on without verification.
What remains unknown for travelers:
- Published timetables and how far ahead they are loaded
- Flight frequency by route
- Additional domestic destinations beyond those mentioned
- How stable the pattern will be week to week
Because of that, you should verify updates through channels that can confirm day-of operation, not just ticketing. A paid ticket is helpful, but it is not the same as operational certainty.
Miles and points: set expectations early
If you usually plan trips around miles, this is a different kind of trip.
Sudan Airways does not offer the same broad alliance-based earning and redemption footprint as Emirates, Etihad, or Qatar Airways. That usually means fewer partner crediting options, and fewer easy “sweet spot” redemptions.
What you can do:
- If you must book cash, prioritize flexibility over chasing a small mileage return
- If you are an elite member elsewhere, do not assume perks will carry over
- Keep receipts and boarding passes, in case you need to request credit later
If you are UAE-based, this matters in a practical way. Many travelers in Dubai or Abu Dhabi are used to building status through Gulf carriers. A domestic Sudan segment may add utility, but it may not add meaningful elite progress.
UAE angle: planning your transit and document checks
Many Sudan-bound itineraries connect through the UAE in normal times, even if your final leg is not on a UAE carrier.
Two reminders that save real pain at the airport:
- Transit versus entry are different. If you plan to leave the airport in the UAE, check entry rules for your passport.
- Document standards can vary by airline and station. Carry printed copies of key documents, even if you normally rely on your phone.
For domestic Sudan travel, expect tighter scrutiny of identification at check-in than you might see on short-haul flights in Europe or the Gulf. Build time for that.
Choose X if… scenarios you can actually use
Choose Option A (fly into Khartoum now) if:
- You have schedule flexibility on both ends
- Being in Khartoum soon matters more than perfect timing
- You can absorb a same-day change without blowing up your trip
Choose Option B (base in Port Sudan first) if:
- You need the best chance of staying on track
- You want to decide on onward movement with fresh local information
- You prefer to keep a ground alternative available
Choose Option C (delay Khartoum) if:
- Your travel is discretionary or date-flexible
- You have zero tolerance for irregular operations
- You would rather wait for timetables to settle before committing
The nuanced verdict for February 2026 travelers
Khartoum International Airport reopening to domestic passenger flights is a real milestone, and it makes travel planning easier than it has been since April 2023. It also introduces a new planning trap: assuming “resumed” means “routine.”
For most travelers, the smartest play is conservative. Anchor your trip around what you can control, then add the Khartoum flight as a flexible piece.
If you are traveling this week, book with flexibility, confirm your flight multiple times, and build at least one buffer day so a schedule change does not strand your whole itinerary.
Khartoum International Airport Reopens with Sudan Airways Flight from Port Sudan (pzu)
Sudan’s domestic flight resumption at Khartoum International Airport marks a significant shift in regional connectivity. Despite the reopening, travelers must navigate a high-uncertainty environment characterized by limited frequencies and potential security disruptions. Planning should prioritize flexibility, with Port Sudan serving as a primary base. Verifying flight status multiple times and allowing for buffer days is essential for those attempting to reach the capital during this early operational phase.
