KHARTOUM, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- A Sudan Airways passenger plane touched down on the newly resurfaced runway of Khartoum International Airport on Sunday, marking the first commercial flight to reach the capital since civil war erupted in April 2023.

The arrival from Port Sudan carries significant symbolic weight for a nation attempting to rebuild after years of devastating conflict. Under heavy security, 160 passengers -- including government employees and students -- disembarked onto a runway still surrounded by the skeletal remains of buildings destroyed in the fighting.

As the cabin doors opened, some passengers knelt to kiss the tarmac while the traditional high-pitched cries of women's ululations echoed across the airfield.

"Seeing the capital from the air after all these years felt like a dream come true," said passenger Khougali Mohamed Abbas.

The airport was a primary flashpoint when the conflict began, suffering repeated bombardments that left its terminals, control tower, and dozens of aircraft in ruins. Government forces regained control of the site in March 2025, but the scale of the damage has made rehabilitation a slow and costly process.

According to Sudan's Ministry of Transport, the conflict caused an estimated 2.7 billion U.S. dollars in losses to the country's aviation sector. While unofficial reports initially suggested six aircraft were lost, satellite analysis by the Sanad Verification Agency indicates roughly 50 planes were damaged or destroyed between 2023 and 2025.

State treasury estimates suggest the government has spent approximately 350 million dollars on initial repairs, focusing on the runway and the Hajj and Umrah terminal, which is currently serving as the hub for all arrivals and departures.

"We assure citizens that the airport is fully secured and operational," said Mohammad Jafar, Director of Aviation Security Operations. He added that there are plans to eventually expand from the current Khartoum-Port Sudan domestic route to regional and international flights as security stabilizes.

The resumption of flights follows a period of relative calm in the capital. The Sudanese government officially relocated its headquarters from Port Sudan to Khartoum on Jan. 11, and the International Organization for Migration estimates that 1.4 million residents have returned to the city.

However, officials warned that the road to full recovery remains long. Al-Khatim Babiker Al-Tayeb, director general of the Sudan Airports Company, noted the airport can currently handle only four aircraft at a time -- a fraction of its pre-war capacity.

"Receiving the first commercial flight does not mean everything is back to normal," a Civil Aviation Authority official said on condition of anonymity, pointing to the scarred infrastructure surrounding the facility.■