The construction of the planned Zalingei and Ed Daein Airports in Sudan has currently not begun. Various hurdles have been faced that have halted the process including tribal wars and political instability in the respective regions.
Also Read: South Sudan: Juba-Bahr El Ghazal highway second phase inaugurated
It is not clear whether the projects are still expected to be carried out in the future however the two airfields remain operational for local flights to the region.
Reported in September 2014
Two US$25m airports to be constructed in Darfur, Sudan
Khartoum Airports Holdings has signed a contract with the Defense Ministry of Sudan for the construction of two airports on the Central and East sides of Darfur. The two airports to be constructed are Zalingei and Ed Daein airports, and the construction will be constructed at a cost of US$25m. Zalingei is the capital of Central Darfur while Ed Daein is the capital of East Darfur.
The signing of the agreement relating to the construction of Zalingei and Ed Daein airports took place on Sunday in the presence of several dignitaries from Darfur, and the signing was between the Commander of the Engineers corps, Major General Eng. Saad Mohamed Al-Amin for the Ministry of Defense, and the director of the Holding of Khartoum Airports Company – Engineer Mohamed Abdul-Aziz.
Dr. Al-Tegani Al-Sessi, the head of the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA, indicated during the signing ceremony that the move to construct Zalingei and Ed Daein airports among other facilities was important to improving the movement of people in this region. He also announced that Darfur Regional Authority will contribute US$75m towards the construction of the two airports.
Construction works of the Zalingei and Ed Daein airports are expected to start immediately according to international standards of the Civil Aviation Authority. The minister for Defense said that the project is in line with the country’s strategic plans to construct a network of airports in Sudan. It’s also a sign of the stability, construction, and reconstruction process the country is going through.
