The Sudan Civil Aviation Authority has announced an expansion of flight restrictions across the country’s airspace, with the new measures remaining in force until July 31. The development was reported by Al Arabiya, which cited information from Khartoum International Airport. Exceptions will be made for humanitarian missions and evacuation flights, ensuring that essential relief and rescue operations can proceed despite the broader safety constraints.
The airspace restrictions were initially put in place on April 22, reflecting the fragile security environment in the region. The decision to extend the ban underscores ongoing concerns about safety, aviation oversight, and the potential risk to civilian aircraft amid ongoing instability.
The current impasse originates from a political and military rift within Sudan’s leadership. Clashes and disagreements have intensified between Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who chairs the Sovereign Council, and Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the head of the Rapid Support Forces. The core dispute centers on the plan to form a unified national armed force, including questions over whether the army should be led by a professional officer or a civilian president, and who would ultimately serve as commander-in-chief. This power struggle has complicated attempts to stabilize the country’s security framework and has reverberated across the aviation sector as authorities assess risk to air operations.
Violent confrontations intensified on April 15 near a military installation in Merowe and in the capital, Khartoum, marking a turning point in the country’s security situation. Official health ministry figures indicate that since the outbreak of the conflict, more than 3,000 people have died and at least 6,000 have been injured, highlighting the severe human toll and the disruption to services, travel, and daily life in Sudan. The evolving crisis continues to impact civilian lives, infrastructure resilience, and the capacity of state institutions to maintain normal civil aviation operations in a highly volatile environment [citation].
Observers note the broader regional implications of Sudan’s internal frictions, including potential spillover effects on neighboring states and regional air routes. The current travel and safety measures reflect a precautionary approach by authorities who must balance operational needs with the realities of an unstable security landscape. As the situation develops, stakeholders in aviation, humanitarian aid, and diplomacy are watching closely for signs of progress or further disruptions that could influence both regional mobility and international evacuation efforts [citation].