Khartoum, April 27 (Darfur24)
Air traffic at Nyala International Airport in South Darfur has dropped significantly in recent months, with cargo flights declining sharply after a period of intense activity earlier this year, according to local and military sources.
Residents told Darfur24 that the airport, which recorded five to six cargo flights daily in January following its reopening by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in September 2024, saw traffic fall to just one or two flights every two weeks in March. Only three cargo flights have been recorded so far in April, although last week briefly saw a daily flight.
Sources said smaller passenger aircraft continue to operate, but are now landing at the former UNAMID mission runway in northern Nyala and in fewer numbers than in previous months.
Military sources within the RSF said the airport has been designated exclusively for cargo operations, with other flights redirected to the UNAMID runway.
Meanwhile, three sources in Zalingei reported sightings of unidentified cargo aircraft flying eastward over the city during April. Witnesses said the planes were flying without navigation lights at night and produced sounds similar to heavy Ilyushin aircraft. Sightings were reported on April 17, 18, and 19.
Nyala International Airport has previously been targeted by airstrikes, including one that hit an aircraft on the runway and caused casualties. The RSF has also deployed advanced jamming systems around the facility.
According to multiple sources, the RSF has rehabilitated several former UNAMID dirt airstrips across Darfur and established new landing sites in East Darfur State.