Khartoum International Airport: Difference between revisions

Content deleted Content added

Latest revision as of 22:13, 22 October 2025

International airport serving Khartoum, Sudan

Khartoum International Airport (IATA: KRT, ICAO: HSSK) (Arabic: مطار الخرطوم الدولي) is the principal airport in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. The airport was shut down from 15 April 2023 to 25 March 2025 at the Battle of Khartoum during the Sudanese civil war.^[2]^[3]

The airport originated as the Royal Air Force airfield Gordon’s Tree. By January 1940, No. 223 Squadron RAF was located at Gordon’s Tree, in the south of Khartoum.^[4] Later the area became known as El Shajjara (“The Tree“).^[5] By January 1942, No. 71 Operational Training Unit (OTU) RAF was operating from the airfield; among aircraft operated were Curtiss Tomahawks and Vickers Wellesleys. Reportedly the OTU had at one stage 50 Harvards and 20 Hurricane fighters on strength.^[6]

Sudanese independence was granted on 1 January 1956. The last Royal Air Force flying unit reported at Khartoum was No. 8 Squadron RAF, which arrived in November 1953, and stayed until July 1956.^[7]

The current airport is scheduled to be replaced by the New Khartoum International Airport in Omdourman 40 kilometres (25 mi) south of the centre of Khartoum. This is planned to have two 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) runways, a passenger terminal of 86,000 m² (930,000 sq ft) and a 300-room international hotel.^[8]^[9] Construction is to be carried out by China Harbour Engineering Co. (CHEC).^[10] On 4 March 2021, the airport’s ICAO code was changed from HSSS to HSSK.^[11]

At the start of the Sudanese civil war (2023–present) on 15 April 2023, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) attacked key installations in Khartoum, including Khartoum International Airport. The RSF reportedly fired on a Saudia airliner which was arriving at the airport, but no casualties were reported among the aircraft’s passengers and crew.^[12]^[13] However, two civilians were killed in separate incidents in the airport.^[14] A total of 20 aircraft were believed to have been destroyed during the fighting.^[15] The RSF subsequently occupied the airport, which has been closed to aviation and has been subjected to attacks by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) during the Battle of Khartoum.^[16] The SAF regained control of the airport on 26 March 2025.^[17] The airport reopened for domestic flights on 22 October 2025 when Badr Airlines resumed flights between Port Sudan and Khartoum.^[18]

Airlines and destinations

[edit]

Airlines	Destinations
Afriqiyah Airways	Benghazi, Tripoli–Mitiga
Badr Airlines	Abu Dhabi, Addis Ababa, Amman–Queen Alia,^[19] Cairo, Damazin, Doha, Dubai–International, El Fasher, El Obeid, Geneina, Istanbul, Jeddah, Juba, Kano, Kassala, N’Djamena, Nyala, Port Sudan, Riyadh, Wau
Berniq Airways	Benghazi^[20]
Egyptair	Cairo
Emirates	Dubai–International
Ethiopian Airlines	Addis Ababa
Flyadeal	Jeddah, Riyadh
Flydubai	Dubai–International
Flynas	Abha,^[21] Dammam, Jeddah, Medina, Riyadh
Golden Wings Aviation	Juba, Wau
Gulf Air	Bahrain
Kenya Airways	Juba,^[22] Nairobi–Jomo Kenyatta
Nova Airways^[23]	Dongola, El Fasher, Juba, Merowe, Nyala, Port Sudan, Wau
Qatar Airways	Doha
Royal Jordanian	Amman–Queen Alia^[24]
SalamAir	Muscat^[25]
Saudia	Jeddah, Medina, Riyadh
Sudan Airways	Addis Ababa, Asmara, Cairo, El Fasher, Geneina, Jeddah, Juba, Kano, N’Djamena, Nyala, Port Sudan, Riyadh
Syrian Air	Damascus
Tarco Aviation	Amman–Queen Alia, Asmara, Cairo, Dammam, Doha,^[26] Entebbe, Jeddah, Juba, Kano, N’Djamena, Riyadh
Turkish Airlines	Istanbul
Yemenia	Aden

The airport hosts a major Sudanese Air Force Transport Squadron:^[29]

Police Air Wing operates rotary aircraft from the base:

Accidents and incidents

[edit]

On 1 January 1942, Vickers Wellesley Mark I L2660 of No. 71 Operational Training Unit RAF was written off, damaged beyond repair, on take-off from Gordon’s Tree.^[30]
On 27 August 1952, Vickers Viscount G-AHRF operated by the Ministry of Supply (United Kingdom) was damaged beyond economic repair when its starboard undercarriage collapsed on landing.^[31]
On 19 July 1983, Douglas C-47A N480F of Chevron Oil crashed shortly after take-off from Khartoum International Airport on a non-scheduled passenger flight. Both engines had failed, probably due to contaminated fuel. All 27 people on board survived.^[32]
Sudan Airways Flight 109: On 10 June 2008, an aircraft operating from Amman, Jordan, landed and went off the end of the runway. The right engine then caught fire and the fire spread rapidly. Preliminary reports stated that around 100 of the 200 passengers had been killed^[33] but this was revised to 30 dead with 184 survivors.^[34]
On 30 June 2008, an Ilyushin Il-76 exploded into a fireball on take-off. All 4 crew were killed.^[35]
On 3 October 2018, a Sudan Air Force Antonov An-32 collided with another Sudan Air Force Antonov An-30.^[36]
On 15 April 2023, during the Battle of Khartoum between government forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Sudanese civil war (2023–present), several airliners, including a Saudia Airbus A330 Regional (HZ-AQ30) and a SkyUp Airlines Boeing 737-800 were destroyed in the fighting. There were no known casualties from both planes.^[37] The RSF occupied the airport from 15 April 2023 until 25 March 2025.^[38]
On 21 October 2025 from 4am to 6am, a drone attack was carried out near the airport, a day before reopening.^[39]^[40]

^ “KRT International Airport Statistics 2017” (PDF). www.krtairport.gov.sd. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
^ Leiro, Roberto (15 April 2023). “Sudan’s RSF Clashes with Army in Khartoum Airport”. Airways. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
^ “Sudan’s army chief returns to Khartoum for first time in 2 years of war after airport recaptured”. spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved 27 March 2025.
^ “Stations-G”.
^ “Washington’s military option”. Africa Confidential. 39 (17). 28 August 1998.
^ Cunningham, Pat (30 October 2011). Fighter! Fighter! Corkscrew Port!. Casemate Publishers. p. 13.
^ “Stations-Khartoum”. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
^ “Construction of the new Khartoum Airport begins in October”. Sudan Tribune. 20 February 2006. Archived from the original on 1 August 2006. Retrieved 13 June 2008.
^ “Sudan to build new international airport near Khartoum”. English.peopledaily.com.cn. Archived from the original on 5 May 2008. Retrieved 13 June 2008.
^ “The African Aviation Tribune”. The African Aviation Tribune. 17 July 2013. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
^ “Khartoum (HSSS) Cycle 2102 ICAO code changed” (PDF). Jeppesen. 23 February 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
^ “Sudan unrest: RSF captures presidential palace as violence rages”. geo.tv. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
^ “Saudi airline says plane came under fire at Khartoum International Airport”. Reuters. 15 April 2023. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
^ “Sudan’s army and rival force clash, wider conflict feared”. The New Indian Express. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
^ Odhiambo, Victor Shalton (20 April 2023). “At least 14 Aircraft damaged in Fighting at Khartoum Airport in Sudan”. Airspace Africa. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
^ “Strong explosion rocks Khartoum airport amid new attacks”. EFE Noticias. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
^ “Sudanese army retakes Khartoum airport from rebels”. RFI. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
^ https://www.africanews.com/2025/10/22/first-domestic-flight-lands-in-sudans-capital-khartoum-since-war-began/
^ “:: Badr Airlines ::”.
^ “Berniq Airways Adds Libya – Sudan Link from mid-Oct 2022”.
^ Liu, Jim. “flynas W19 network expansion”. Routesonline. Archived from the original on 22 September 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
^ Otieno, Bonface (10 December 2021). “Kenya Airways launches direct Juba-Khartoum flights”. Business Daily. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
^ “Passenger Flights”.
^ “Royal Jordanian Resumes Khartoum Service from April 2023”.
^ “SalamAir kick-starts Khartoum connection”. 23 August 2018. Archived from the original on 10 June 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
^ “Tarco Aviation adds Khartoum – Doha route from Dec 2019”. Archived from the original on 2 December 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
^ “Emirates SkyCargo Freighter Operations get ready for DWC move”. Emirates SkyCargo. 2 April 2014. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.
^ “SalamAir Cargo 1Q23 Operations”.
^ “Orbats”.
^ “Incident Vickers Wellesley Mk I L2660, 01 Jan 1942”.
^ “Accident description”. Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
^ “N480F Accident report”. Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
^ “Dozens die in Sudan jet inferno”. BBC News. 10 June 2008. Archived from the original on 28 September 2008. Retrieved 5 January 2010.
^ Accident description at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 26 July 2016.
^ “Cargo plane explodes in Khartoum, killing 4 crew”. Reuters. 30 June 2008. Archived from the original on 11 January 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2008.
^ “BREAKING Two Antonov aircraft have collided on the ground at Khartoum Airport, Sudan”. Airlive Contributors. Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
^ Hogg, Ryan (15 April 2023). “Saudia Said Plane Involved in ‘Accident’ at Sudan’s Khartoum Airport”. Business Insider. Retrieved 17 April 2023. Saudia, formerly called Saudi Arabian Airlines, issued a statement saying one of its Airbus A330 jets was “involved in an accident” at the airport before a flight to Riyadh…. the other plane damaged in the shelling was a Ukraine-based SkyUp 737, operating on behalf of airline Sunwing.
^ “Sudan army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan tours recaptured presidential palace in Khartoum”. BBC. 26 March 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
^ “Drones hit Khartoum airport on eve of planned reopening”. Sudan Tribune. 21 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
^ Quillen, Stephen (21 October 2025). “Drone attack in Sudan threatens Khartoum airport’s reopening: Reports”. Al Jazeera. Retrieved 21 October 2025.

Media related to Khartoum International Airport at Wikimedia Commons

[1] “KRT International Airport Statistics 2017” (PDF). www.krtairport.gov.sd. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2023.

[2] Leiro, Roberto (15 April 2023). “Sudan’s RSF Clashes with Army in Khartoum Airport”. Airways. Retrieved 16 April 2023.

[3] “Sudan’s army chief returns to Khartoum for first time in 2 years of war after airport recaptured”. spectrumlocalnews.com. Retrieved 27 March 2025.

[4] “Stations-G”.

[5] “Washington’s military option”. Africa Confidential. 39 (17). 28 August 1998.

[6] Cunningham, Pat (30 October 2011). Fighter! Fighter! Corkscrew Port!. Casemate Publishers. p. 13.

[7] “Stations-Khartoum”. Retrieved 18 November 2022.

[8] “Construction of the new Khartoum Airport begins in October”. Sudan Tribune. 20 February 2006. Archived from the original on 1 August 2006. Retrieved 13 June 2008.

[9] “Sudan to build new international airport near Khartoum”. English.peopledaily.com.cn. Archived from the original on 5 May 2008. Retrieved 13 June 2008.

[10] “The African Aviation Tribune”. The African Aviation Tribune. 17 July 2013. Archived from the original on 2 January 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.

[11] “Khartoum (HSSS) Cycle 2102 ICAO code changed” (PDF). Jeppesen. 23 February 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2022.

[12] “Sudan unrest: RSF captures presidential palace as violence rages”. geo.tv. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.

[13] “Saudi airline says plane came under fire at Khartoum International Airport”. Reuters. 15 April 2023. Archived from the original on 16 April 2023. Retrieved 16 April 2023.

[14] “Sudan’s army and rival force clash, wider conflict feared”. The New Indian Express. 15 April 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.

[15] Odhiambo, Victor Shalton (20 April 2023). “At least 14 Aircraft damaged in Fighting at Khartoum Airport in Sudan”. Airspace Africa. Retrieved 7 April 2024.

[16] “Strong explosion rocks Khartoum airport amid new attacks”. EFE Noticias. 26 August 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2024.

[17] “Sudanese army retakes Khartoum airport from rebels”. RFI. Retrieved 26 March 2025.

[18] ttps://www.africanews.com/2025/10/22/first-domestic-flight-lands-in-sudans-capital-khartoum-since-war-began/

[19] “:: Badr Airlines ::”.

[20] “Berniq Airways Adds Libya – Sudan Link from mid-Oct 2022”.

[21] Liu, Jim. “flynas W19 network expansion”. Routesonline. Archived from the original on 22 September 2019. Retrieved 13 September 2019.

[22] Otieno, Bonface (10 December 2021). “Kenya Airways launches direct Juba-Khartoum flights”. Business Daily. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.

[23] “Passenger Flights”.

[24] “Royal Jordanian Resumes Khartoum Service from April 2023”.

[25] “SalamAir kick-starts Khartoum connection”. 23 August 2018. Archived from the original on 10 June 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2018.

[26] “Tarco Aviation adds Khartoum – Doha route from Dec 2019”. Archived from the original on 2 December 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2019.

[27] “Emirates SkyCargo Freighter Operations get ready for DWC move”. Emirates SkyCargo. 2 April 2014. Archived from the original on 25 February 2015. Retrieved 25 February 2015.

[28] “SalamAir Cargo 1Q23 Operations”.

[29] “Orbats”.

[30] “Incident Vickers Wellesley Mk I L2660, 01 Jan 1942”.

[ASN270852-31] “Accident description”. Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2009.

[ASN190783-32] “N480F Accident report”. Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2010.

[33] “Dozens die in Sudan jet inferno”. BBC News. 10 June 2008. Archived from the original on 28 September 2008. Retrieved 5 January 2010.

[34] Accident description at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 26 July 2016.

[35] “Cargo plane explodes in Khartoum, killing 4 crew”. Reuters. 30 June 2008. Archived from the original on 11 January 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2008.

[36] “BREAKING Two Antonov aircraft have collided on the ground at Khartoum Airport, Sudan”. Airlive Contributors. Archived from the original on 3 October 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2018.

[37] Hogg, Ryan (15 April 2023). “Saudia Said Plane Involved in ‘Accident’ at Sudan’s Khartoum Airport”. Business Insider. Retrieved 17 April 2023. Saudia, formerly called Saudi Arabian Airlines, issued a statement saying one of its Airbus A330 jets was “involved in an accident” at the airport before a flight to Riyadh…. the other plane damaged in the shelling was a Ukraine-based SkyUp 737, operating on behalf of airline Sunwing.

[38] “Sudan army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan tours recaptured presidential palace in Khartoum”. BBC. 26 March 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.

[39] “Drones hit Khartoum airport on eve of planned reopening”. Sudan Tribune. 21 October 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.

[40] Quillen, Stephen (21 October 2025). “Drone attack in Sudan threatens Khartoum airport’s reopening: Reports”. Al Jazeera. Retrieved 21 October 2025.

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

[33]

[34]

[35]

[36]

[37]

[38]

[39]

[40]

@@ Line 51: / Line 51: @@
 The current airport is scheduled to be replaced by the [[New Khartoum International Airport]] in [[Omdourman]] {{convert|40|km}} south of the centre of Khartoum. This is planned to have two {{convert|4000|metre|foot}} runways, a passenger terminal of {{convert|86,000|sqm|sqft|abbr=on}} and a 300-room international hotel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sudantribune.com/article.php3?id_article=14161 |title=Construction of the new Khartoum Airport begins in October |publisher=Sudan Tribune |date=20 February 2006 |access-date=13 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060801002004/http://www.sudantribune.com/article.php3?id_article=14161 |archive-date=1 August 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200602/20/eng20060220_244150.html |title=Sudan to build new international airport near Khartoum |publisher=English.peopledaily.com.cn |access-date=13 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505063808/http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200602/20/eng20060220_244150.html |archive-date=5 May 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> Construction is to be carried out by [[China Harbour Engineering]] Co. (CHEC).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theafricanaviationtribune.com/2012/06/sudan-new-khartoum-airport-secures.html |title=The African Aviation Tribune |publisher=The African Aviation Tribune |date=17 July 2013 |access-date=29 April 2014 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140102202351/http://www.theafricanaviationtribune.com/2012/06/sudan-new-khartoum-airport-secures.html |archive-date=2 January 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 4 March 2021, the airport’s ICAO code was changed from ”’HSSS”’ to ”’HSSK”’.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-23 |title=Khartoum (HSSS) Cycle 2102 ICAO code changed |url=https://ww2.jeppesen.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/HSSS_HSSK_2102_AMM_ALERT.pdf |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=Jeppesen}}</ref>
 At the start of the [[Sudanese civil war (2023–present)]] on 15 April 2023, the [[Rapid Support Forces]] (RSF) attacked key installations in Khartoum, including Khartoum International Airport. The RSF reportedly fired on a [[Saudia]] airliner which was arriving at the airport, but no casualties were reported among the aircraft’s passengers and crew.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sudan unrest: RSF captures presidential palace as violence rages |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/482255-sudan-unrest-rsf-captures-presidential-palace-as-violence-rages |access-date=18 April 2023 |website=geo.tv|archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416163354/https://www.geo.tv/latest/482255-sudan-unrest-rsf-captures-presidential-palace-as-violence-rages |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 April 2023 |title=Saudi airline says plane came under fire at Khartoum International Airport|work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/saudi-national-carrier-says-aircraft-had-an-accident-khartoum-airport-2023-04-15/ |access-date=16 April 2023 |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416152124/https://www.reuters.com/world/saudi-national-carrier-says-aircraft-had-an-accident-khartoum-airport-2023-04-15/ |url-status=live}}</ref> However, two civilians were killed in separate incidents in the airport.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sudan’s army and rival force clash, wider conflict feared |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2023/apr/15/sudans-army-and-rival-force-clash-wider-conflict-feared-2566247.html |access-date=25 September 2023 |website=The New Indian Express|date=15 April 2023 }}</ref> A total of 20 aircraft were believed to have been destroyed during the fighting.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Odhiambo |first=Victor Shalton |date=2023-04-20 |title=At least 14 Aircraft damaged in Fighting at Khartoum Airport in Sudan |url=https://airspace-africa.com/2023/04/20/at-least-14-aircraft-damaged-in-fighting-at-khartoum-airport-in-sudan/ |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=Airspace Africa |language=en-US}}</ref> The RSF subsequently [[RSF occupation of the Khartoum International Airport|occupied the airport]], which has been closed to aviation and has been subjected to attacks by the [[Sudanese Armed Forces]] (SAF) during the [[Battle of Khartoum (2023–present)|Battle of Khartoum]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-26 |title=Strong explosion rocks Khartoum airport amid new attacks |url=https://efe.com/en/latest-news/2023-08-26/strong-explosion-rocks-khartoum-airport-amid-new-attacks/ |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=EFE Noticias |language=en-US}}</ref> The SAF regained control of the airport on 26 March 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sudanese army retakes Khartoum airport from rebels |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/africa/20250326-sudanese-army-retakes-khartoum-airport-from-rebels |access-date=2025-03-26 |website=RFI|language=en}}</ref>
 ==Airlines and destinations ==

Latest revision as of 22:13, 22 October 2025

Airlines and destinations

Accidents and incidents

Must Read

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply