EgyptAir has resumed direct flights between Cairo and Port Sudan, with the first service touching down at Port Sudan International Airport on Wednesday 5 August 2026. The resumption marks a significant moment for Sudan’s battered aviation sector and opens a reliable air link between Egypt and the Red Sea city for the first time since May 2025.
The Route and Schedule
EgyptAir will operate five weekly services between Cairo International Airport and Port Sudan International Airport, with no flights scheduled on Saturdays or Tuesdays. All flights are bookable through EgyptAir’s website, call centres, and authorised travel agencies.
To mark the relaunch, EgyptAir offered a 50 per cent discount on tickets for the inaugural 5 August flight — a promotion that drew significant interest from the large Sudanese community resident in Egypt.
Why Port Sudan and Not Khartoum
The route’s history explains why Port Sudan — not Khartoum — is the focus of this resumption.
When conflict broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in April 2023, Khartoum International Airport was effectively put out of service. International carriers, including EgyptAir, suspended Khartoum operations and Port Sudan emerged as Sudan’s principal international aviation hub — a role the Red Sea city has maintained since.
EgyptAir first introduced Cairo to Port Sudan flights in September 2023, five months after suspending Khartoum services. The route faced a further disruption in May 2025 when RSF drone attacks targeted Port Sudan’s airport perimeter, fuel depots, and nearby port infrastructure, forcing a temporary suspension of air traffic and the cancellation of EgyptAir’s MS865 service.
The 5 August 2026 resumption is EgyptAir’s return to the route following that suspension.
A Welcome Back with Official Ceremony
The arrival of the first EgyptAir flight was marked by an official ceremony at Port Sudan International Airport attended by Red Sea State Governor Lt. Gen. Mustafa Mohamed Nour, Egyptian Ambassador Hani Salah, senior civil aviation officials, and several diplomats.
Governor Nour welcomed the airline’s return as a reflection of the longstanding ties between Sudan and Egypt, saying the Red Sea State government would provide all necessary facilities to support smooth passenger movement.
Egyptian Ambassador Hani Salah described Sudan as a country of major importance to Egypt and framed the resumption as carrying political significance beyond its commercial value — a demonstration of Egypt’s support for Sudan during the ongoing crisis and confidence in Port Sudan’s aviation infrastructure.
Part of a Broader Regional Recovery
EgyptAir’s return is not happening in isolation. Qatar Airways and Oman’s SalamAir have also recently resumed operations to Port Sudan, reflecting a gradual but meaningful recovery in the city’s status as an international aviation gateway.
Sudan’s Civil Aviation Authority has indicated it will continue supporting airlines operating through the airport and maintaining operational readiness as the country seeks to restore its international air links.
Travel agents confirm that Port Sudan has been re-integrated into EgyptAir’s international booking system — a practical signal that the airline is committed to the route rather than treating it as a temporary arrangement.
What It Means for Travellers
For the large Sudanese diaspora in Egypt, the resumption provides a direct and reliable connection home. For those connecting through Cairo International Airport, EgyptAir’s Star Alliance membership and broad network — operated by a fleet of approximately 90 aircraft — means onward connections to destinations across Europe, Asia, and the Americas are readily accessible on a single booking.
For travellers from Kenya and elsewhere in East Africa looking to reach Sudan, the Cairo connection via EgyptAir provides a practical routing option with competitive fares and the backing of a major African carrier.
The route is also expected to support trade flows, humanitarian operations, and the movement of official delegations between the two countries — roles that Port Sudan has played as Sudan’s de facto administrative and logistics hub since the Khartoum conflict began.
Ongoing Challenges
Despite the positive development, airlines operating in Sudan continue to face real structural challenges. Severe local currency depreciation and foreign exchange shortages make it difficult for carriers to repatriate ticket sales revenue — a financial friction that has deterred some airlines from returning.
Security remains a consideration. Port Sudan’s airport infrastructure has been targeted before and the situation on the ground in Sudan remains fluid. Airlines and passengers alike will be monitoring developments closely.
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