A Kuwait Airways flight landed at Khartoum International Airport on April 29, marking the first direct service to Sudan’s capital in 36 years. This arrival also ended a three-year break in international flights to the airport, which had been suspended since the outbreak of war on April 15, 2023. The aircraft carried over 300 Sudanese nationals returning home, according to the Sudanese News Agency.

Sudanese Ambassador to Kuwait Awadelkarim Elrayah Balla described the flight as a “historic milestone,” referring to Kuwait Airways by the nickname “Blue Bird” and likening its return to an embrace of the Blue Nile. The ambassador expressed appreciation for Kuwait’s ongoing support during recent regional upheavals and commended the airline's efforts in repatriating Sudanese citizens who were previously stranded.

Balla indicated that the resumption of flights could pave the way for enhanced cooperation in air transport and trade between the two countries. He suggested that Kuwait Airways might facilitate the export of Sudanese agricultural products to Kuwait, contributing to food security initiatives in the region. The flight from Kuwait to Khartoum takes approximately two hours and 25 minutes.

The ambassador also highlighted the Sudanese expatriate community in Kuwait, numbering around 40,000 individuals. He emphasized the community’s significant role in strengthening bilateral relations through their involvement in various sectors including healthcare, education, and other skilled professions.