Egypt has resumed direct commercial flights to Sudan for the first time since the conflict broke out between rival generals in Sudan nearly five months ago.

EgyptAir’s Flight MS865 departed from Cairo and landed in Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast, marking a significant step towards re-establishing connectivity between the two countries. The flight carried 120 passengers and is expected to ease the challenges faced by Sudanese travelers, particularly those who require medical assistance, students, children, and the elderly.

Sameh Farouk, Egypt’s Consul General in Port Sudan, highlighted the importance of this resumption in air travel between the two nations. He noted the strong historical and popular bonds between Egypt and Sudan and emphasised the role of EgyptAir in facilitating people-to-people connections.

The Sudanese authorities greeted the Egyptian plane with a “water salute” ceremony upon its arrival in Port Sudan. A return flight with 115 passengers landed in Cairo later in the day.

EgyptAir plans to operate a weekly return flight between Cairo and Port Sudan, representing a crucial development in restoring regular air travel between the two nations.

These flights mark the first commercial flights to and from Sudan since the conflict began in mid-April. The conflict involves the Sudanese army, led by General Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo.

The resumption of direct commercial flights between Egypt and Sudan signals a positive step towards normalizing relations and re-establishing crucial links between the two countries in the wake of the recent conflict.