Al Fashir Airport

## Al Fashir Airport (ELF / HSFS): What Travelers and Aid Workers Need to Know

Quick facts (verified):
– Official name: El Fashir (Al-Fashir) Airport
– IATA / ICAO: ELF / HSFS
– Type: Dual-use public/military airfield
– Elevation: ~2,393 ft (730 m)
– Primary runway: 05/23, asphalt, ~2,970 m (~9,744 ft)
– Secondary runway: 18/36, gravel, ~1,527 m (length reported)
These basics are consistent across aeronautical references and public records.

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### 1) Location & Role in North Darfur
Al Fashir Airport serves El Fasher (Al-Fashir), the capital of North Darfur in western Sudan. Historically it has supported both civilian movements and UN operations, with dedicated facilities used by UN peacekeeping/relief missions when those were active. The airfield has also hosted Sudanese Air Force units, underscoring its strategic importance.

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### 2) Current Security Context (Late October 2025)
Security conditions around Al-Fashir have deteriorated sharply in 2024–2025 as part of the wider Sudan conflict. On October 28, 2025, major international outlets and UN agencies reported that Sudan’s army withdrew from Al-Fashir and warned of RSF abuses against civilians following intensified fighting. Independent reporting indicates RSF control over the city after the fall of the army’s 6th Infantry Division, with grave protection risks for residents and displaced people. These developments have direct implications for any airfield usage and access. Jazeera

> Practical takeaway: Do not assume any published commercial schedule or contact number is current. On-the-ground control, access, and procedures can change rapidly in an active conflict environment. Rely on real-time guidance from UN agencies, ICRC, and your organization’s security focal points before any movement.

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### 3) Runway & Aircraft Performance Notes (Reference Only)
– Runway 05/23 (asphalt, ~2,970 m) can technically accommodate medium jets and most turboprops under normal conditions.
– Runway 18/36 (gravel) is shorter (~1,527 m) and surface-limited; its usability depends on current field condition, maintenance, and contamination (FOD), which cannot be assumed in wartime.
– Navigational procedures include VOR/DME approaches listed in flight-ops references. Fuel availability has been listed as Jet-A only in peacetime directories; do not rely on this in the present context without operational confirmation.

> Operational caveat: The figures above come from aeronautical directories and public summaries; in conflict, status can change without notice due to damage, closures, or military requisition. Always verify via your aviation authority, NOTAMs, WFP/UNHAS ops desk, or your organization’s air operations unit.

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### 4) Humanitarian Flight Reality Check
Historically, UNHAS has connected Al-Fashir with other Sudan hubs. Publicly available schedules from prior years confirm routing existed; however, these documents are historical and not valid for current planning. Today, only your mission’s authorized flight desk (e.g., WFP/UNHAS) can confirm whether movements are approved, suspended, or diverted.

– Why this matters: Airfields in conflict zones may look “open” in global databases long after operations have halted. Humanitarian corridors, slot allocations, and security guarantees can be withdrawn rapidly.

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### 5) Civil Access, Contacts & “Mismatched Numbers”
It’s common to find outdated or incorrect phone numbers for Al-Fashir facilities on aggregator sites or maps. Given the current situation and the dual-use nature of the airfield, public-facing numbers may not connect to any working airport desk. Verification should route through recognized coordination mechanisms (e.g., your agency’s logistics cluster contact, UNDSS security tree, or official UNHAS channels) rather than consumer travel listings. (Cross-reference general airport directories for identity only; do not use them as operational contacts.)

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### 6) Who Should Consider Movement—and Who Should Not
– Humanitarian staff on mission orders: Coordinate strictly through your organization’s security management and air ops; movement typically requires mission-specific clearances and contingency plans. Self-deployment is unsafe. UN and humanitarian statements point to escalating violence and mass displacement as of late October 2025.
– General travelers: There is no reliable civilian air service information to or from Al-Fashir at this time, and international reporting highlights severe risks to civilians. Tourism or non-essential travel is not advisable. Jazeera

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### 7) Mapping & Coordinates (for reference, not routing)
– Approximate field coordinates: 13.622°N, 25.329°E (airport area); civilian digital maps may display additional local grid references. Use official aviation coordinates and NOTAMs for any certified navigation; mapping apps are not adequate for flight planning.

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### 8) Bottom Line for RealJourneyTravels Readers
1. Al Fashir Airport exists as a dual-use facility with a long asphalt runway and a shorter gravel strip; that’s verifiable.
2. The city and airport environment are affected by active conflict. As of late October 2025, trusted outlets report army withdrawal and RSF control, with grave risks to civilians—facts that invalidate any normal “how to fly” guidance. Jazeera
3. Do not rely on public phone numbers or generic airport listings for planning. If you’re mission-critical personnel, route all requests via UNHAS/agency ops and check current NOTAMs.

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### Sources & Data Freshness
– Core airport identifiers, runway specs, and dual-use status: public records and aeronautical directories.
– Conflict/access updates (October 2025): major international reporting and UN agency briefings. Jazeera

> Data integrity note: This article intentionally avoids listing phone numbers, timetables, or booking advice because there is no authoritative, public, and current civilian schedule for Al-Fashir. Any third-party claims of “regular flights” should be treated as outdated unless confirmed by official humanitarian or aviation channels.