The planned re-opening of Khartoum International Airport was postponed on 22 October 2025 after drone strikes on Oct. 21 and 22 raised fresh security concerns, an airline source and local officials told Reuters. The delay halted the scheduled first domestic commercial flight by Badr Airlines and underscored continuing risks to civil aviation as the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) contest control in and around the capital.
The strikes, which the army said were intercepted and caused only “minimal” damage, followed a recent push by the army to prioritise reopening the airport as a signal of normalcy after reclaiming central Khartoum earlier this year. RSF leader General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo warned he would target any airport used by forces he blamed for foreign-backed strikes, complicating immediate plans to restore civilian services.
What happened and why it matters
- What: Drone attacks near Khartoum International Airport on Oct. 21 and 22 delayed plans to resume domestic commercial flights. Reuters reported an airline source saying the inaugural commercial flight was postponed “for several days at least.”
- Why: The RSF has increasingly used drones against infrastructure inside army-held areas; the airport also houses an air force base, making it a sensitive target. Continued attacks raise safety concerns for passengers, crews and humanitarian operations.
Operational and humanitarian implications
- Air services: Delays keep Khartoum disconnected from regular domestic routes, affecting passenger mobility and impeding rapid movement of relief goods inside Sudan. AP reported a previously successful test civilian landing but noted ongoing uncertainty about schedule resumption.
- Aid and logistics: Airports are critical for humanitarian deliveries. Continued strikes risk disrupting life-saving aid flows and complicate logistics for UN and NGO partners. Humanitarian agencies have repeatedly warned about infrastructure vulnerability in the conflict.
- Regional risk: RSF threats to target any airport supporting the army raise the danger of cross-border incidents or heightened regional tensions, particularly if neighbouring states are alleged to host or support operations. Dagalo has previously accused states of intervening; such claims often escalate diplomatic frictions.
Timeline, quick facts
- April 2023: War breaks out between Sudanese army and RSF; Khartoum International Airport is damaged and closed.
- March–Oct 2025: Army regains central Khartoum; plans to renovate and reopen the airport begin.
- Oct 21–22, 2025: Drone strikes near the airport delay the scheduled resumption of domestic flights; army says strikes were intercepted and damage was minimal.
Caveats / what to watch for
- Damage assessments: The army’s statement that damage was minimal is an official claim; independent on-site verification or third-party inspections will be needed to confirm the extent of structural damage to runways, navigation aids or terminal infrastructure.
- Operational timelines: The airline source said the flight was delayed “for several days at least.” That remains a provisional operational update, watch for confirmations from Sudan Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) or airline notices.
What’s next? Industry outlook
- Immediate (days): Expect continued security monitoring. Airlines and the SCAA will evaluate NOTAMs and publish official clearance updates; humanitarian agencies may adjust aid routing plans.
- Short term (weeks): If attacks continue, operators may keep services grounded or reroute flights to secondary airports (e.g., Port Sudan), increasing costs and delivery times for goods and aid. International carriers and insurers will watch risk assessments closely.
- Medium term (months): A stable reopening requires credible, lasting security guarantees, repairs to any damaged avionics/airfield infrastructure, and coordination between military and civil aviation authorities to separate military operations from civil flight paths. Without that, airlines will remain reluctant to reinstate scheduled services.
Sources & further reading
- Reuters, Re-opening of Khartoum airport delayed after drone strikes, Khalid Abdelaziz / Nafisa Eltahir, 22 Oct 2025.
- Associated Press, First domestic flight lands in Khartoum since war began, 22 Oct 2025.
- Al Jazeera, Drone attack in Sudan threatens Khartoum airport reopening, 21–22 Oct 2025.
- Sudan Tribune / Arab News, regional corroboration of strikes and delays.
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