“ICAO Condemns Repeated Attacks on Sudan’s Civilian Airports, Declares Khartoum Airport Unsafe for Operations”
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) expresses deep concern over the repeated targeting of civilian airports in Sudan, including all airports located in conflict zones and areas of armed confrontation. While emphasizing the importance of adhering to international laws and regulations related to civil aviation, we view with grave concern the escalation of hostilities that threaten the safety and security of civil aviation across Sudan, posing a serious threat to international and local aviation safety and the stability of international navigation.
Based on this, the ICAO formally declares that Khartoum International Airport is not airworthy and does not hold an international permit from the organization to operate officially under current war conditions, due to the security and aviation safety risks posed by the ongoing conflict in Sudan. We emphasize that any air activity at Khartoum Airport or any other airport in Sudan without obtaining the necessary permit constitutes a violation of international standards and regulations and exposes the government concerned to international accountability.
The situation is further compounded by the inability of the Sudanese armed forces to provide adequate security protection for Khartoum Airport and other airports, which has led to the airport being subjected to four different attacks after the liberation of the capital, posing a direct threat to the safety of civil aviation, passengers, and aircrews.
Targeting civilian airports is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, particularly the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols, and puts the lives of civilians and travelers at direct risk. In this context, ICAO emphasizes the need for all parties to the conflict to adhere to international laws and ensure the safety and security of civilian airports, including Khartoum Airport and all other airports in Sudan, in accordance with international standards and regulations in force for the safety of civilians.
We condemn in the strongest terms these hostile acts targeting civilian infrastructure, endangering innocent lives, and undermining efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region. Such acts constitute a violation of international humanitarian law and require immediate action by the international community to stop them and ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.
ICAO reiterates its call to all parties to cease hostilities and work towards finding peaceful solutions to the conflict, preserving civilian lives and ensuring the continuity of safe and stable civil aviation services. We also call on the international community to take immediate action to stop these violations and ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, in accordance with international law and humanitarian conventions.
In conclusion, ICAO expresses its solidarity with the Sudanese people and reinforces its call to all parties to work towards achieving peace and stability in Sudan, ensuring the safety and security of civil aviation worldwide.
