High flight tickets and options scarcity in Sudan

Books- Ibrahim Adlan- an article entitled “The high prices of tickets and the scarcity of options: Sudanese aviation under pressure” saying: Since the outbreak of the war in Sudan in April 2023, most of the major airports in the country, including Khartoum International Airport, have been disrupted, which led to almost complete dependence on Port Sudan International Airport as a major air outlet.

Despite its importance in keeping the air travel artery alive, the increasing pressure on it, and the escalating security exposure, put the country in front of unprecedented challenges in the air transport sector.

Aircraft attack, the scene is confused

In May, the vicinity of the Port Sudan Airport witnessed an attack by the running planes, prompting some airlines to suspend or reduce their flights temporarily, led by Ethiopian and Egyptian Airlines, as a result of security risks and increased operating costs. These developments cast a shadow over the travelers, and re -asked the question of possible alternatives seriously.

A big leap in ticket prices

Security threats about the Port Sudan airport prompted insurance companies to reclassify Sudan as a high -risk air field, which led to the imposition of a special war insurance (War Risk Insurance) on every flight. This type of insurance is expensive, and it is carried by airlines first, but it soon passes it to travelers by raising ticket prices, the increase is directly related to insurance and security measures that apply to flights from Sudan and to Sudan.

Limited alternatives despite the multiplicity of airports

Although the Port Sudan airport is witnessing unprecedented pressure, there are other airports such as Atbara, Kassala, Dongola, and Marwa are relatively safer, according to field reports, but its operation is still partial or limited. Although some of them were subjected to previous threats, experts believe that the conditions impose the need to use them to reduce pressure and expand the options available to citizens and humanitarian and commercial agencies.

Calls to fix the air scene and expand alternatives

In light of these challenges, several recommendations are highlighted by experts and observers to save the Sudanese aviation sector and expand the base of air access, most notably:

• Activating alternative regional airports such as Atbara, Kassala, Meroe and Dongola, as a relatively safer than Port Sudan airport.
• Negotiating with regional and international airlines to restart flights to and from Sudan, and to provide operational incentives for them.
• Government or international support to cover part of the cost of war insurance to reduce the burden on airlines.
• Establishing a national podium to book tickets with the aim of monitoring prices, preventing monopolistic practices, and ensuring transparency.
• Approving a temporary amendment to the regulatory policies related to aircraft registration, by temporarily overcoming the time of the age of aircraft, and focusing instead on technical standards and validity certificates issued by internationally recognized safety agencies such as Easa and FAA.

This trend enables national companies to increase their fleets by buying technically valid used aircraft, and allows new operators to enter air operating certificates (AOC) to the travel market, which enhances competitiveness and increases the abundance of seats.

• Establishing a unified national insurance platform that negotiates with international insurance companies on behalf of Sudanese companies, to reduce the cost of the bonds through collective purchase.
• Adopting temporary symbolic fees by the Civil Aviation Authority, to encourage companies to continue and expand their activity without overburdening their financial shoulders, while maintaining organizational control.

In conclusion

Flying in Sudan is going through a critical stage, but it still represents a strategic tool for internal and external connection, especially in light of the interruption of most other means. Between high prices, diminishing options, and security risks, it does not seem to have a choice but to move quickly to restart alternative airports, and to adopt a flexible and bold policy that allows rapid expansion of fleets and encourage new players, to ensure continued service and reduce the burden on the citizen.