PRESS RELEASE : Extra evacuation flight from Port Sudan announced [April 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 April 2023.

Exceptional additional flight from Port Sudan announced, as total number of people evacuated reaches 2122.

An extra UK evacuation flight from Port Sudan will depart on Monday (May 1), extending the longest and largest evacuation effort of any Western country from Sudan.

British nationals who wish to leave Sudan on this flight are asked to travel to the British Evacuation Handling Centre at the Coral Hotel on 1 May before 1200 Sudan time tomorrow (1100 BST) to allow for processing.

This additional exceptional flight facilitates the evacuation of a limited number of UK nationals remaining in Sudan who wish to leave. This flight follows the UK’s successful evacuation operation from Wadi Saeeda near Khartoum, which has evacuated 2122 people on 23 flights.

The UK Government is no longer running evacuation flights from Wadi Saeedna airfield because of a decline in demand by British nationals, and while the situation on the ground remains volatile. The last evacuation flight departed the airfield at 2200 Sudan time on 29 April.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

The UK has now airlifted over 2100 people to safety from Sudan, in what has been the largest and longest evacuation of any Western country. I want to thank all of those working to deliver this evacuation and ensure as many people as possible are brought to safety.

Evacuation flights have ended from Wadi Saeedna but our rescue efforts continue from Port Sudan. We continue to do everything in our power to secure a long-term ceasefire, a stable transition to civilian rule and an end the violence in Sudan.

Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, said:

I am grateful to our Armed Forces who have ensured there was an alternative to Wadi Saeedna and who are currently supporting FCDO and Border Force staff to facilitate the rescue effort. HMS Lancaster and the RAF are also there in support of HMG.

The evacuation criteria was expanded on Saturday to include eligible non-British nationals in Sudan who are working as clinicians within the NHS, and their dependants who have leave to enter the UK.

The UK continues to provide consular support to British nationals in Port Sudan and in neighbouring countries in the region.

The safety of all British nationals in Sudan continues to be our utmost priority and we urge everyone to continue to follow our travel advice. The situation remains volatile and our ability to conduct evacuations could change at short notice.

The UK is pursuing all diplomatic avenues to end the violence in Sudan and return to civilian rule, with the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Defence Secretary and Minister for Africa all speaking with international partners. Ultimately a stable transition to civilian rule is the best way to protect the security and prosperity of the Sudanese people.