Air West
A Sudanese airline based in Khartoum that provides domestic passenger services and international cargo charters.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Air West is a Sudanese airline based in Khartoum. The carrier was established in April 1992 and began operations in October of that year. Its principal base is Khartoum International Airport, while Sharjah International Airport is identified as a hub. The airline has been associated with domestic passenger services in Sudan, scheduled or public services linking Sudan with Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and international cargo-charter operations. Air West is distinct from Hughes Airwest, the former United States airline that also used the Air West name. The two businesses have no reported corporate connection. Air West's publicly documented profile is that of a regional and international operator serving a market centered on Sudan and neighboring Middle Eastern and African destinations rather than a large global network carrier. The airline's fleet information published for 4 April 2018 listed seven aircraft: one Airbus A300-600, two Antonov An-24s, one Antonov An-28, one Boeing 737-300QC, and two Fokker 50s. This mix indicates an operating model combining short- and medium-range passenger services with larger aircraft potentially suited to cargo or charter work. Fleet composition and operational status may have changed since that date. Air West was involved in a major security incident on 24 January 2007, when Flight 612, a Boeing 737 carrying 95 passengers and eight crew, was hijacked after departing Khartoum for El Fasher. The aircraft was diverted to N'Djamena, Chad, where all passengers were released safely and the hijacker was arrested after negotiations. The incident did not result in reported passenger casualties in the supplied reference account. The airline is listed among air carriers banned in the European Union. The available reference material does not establish the precise regulatory grounds, the date of the listing, or whether the restriction has subsequently changed. Accordingly, Air West's current operating certificate, route network, fleet availability, and present commercial status should be verified against current Sudanese, international, and airport records.
History
Air West was established in Sudan in April 1992 and commenced airline operations in October 1992. The carrier developed around a Khartoum operating base and is described as serving domestic Sudanese passenger routes as well as international markets. Khartoum International Airport is its main base, and Sharjah International Airport is identified as a hub, reflecting the airline's links between Sudan and the wider Middle East. The carrier's service profile includes domestic passenger operations, public services to Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and international cargo charters. This combination suggests a regional airline model with both scheduled or public passenger activity and flexible charter work. Available reference material does not provide a complete route chronology, ownership history, financial record, or detailed account of management changes. On 24 January 2007, Air West Flight 612 became the subject of a hijacking. The Boeing 737 had departed Khartoum for El Fasher with 95 passengers and eight crew members. A 24-year-old hijacker, identified in the reference account as Mahamat Abdelatif Mahamat, claimed control of the aircraft while carrying a pistol and several knives. He initially demanded that the flight be taken to Britain. When the aircraft did not have sufficient fuel for that destination, he requested diversion to Bangui or N'Djamena. The aircraft landed at N'Djamena in Chad, where the passengers were released safely. After approximately twenty minutes of negotiations on the ground, the hijacker was arrested. The supplied account states that his requests for guarantees from the French embassy and political asylum in the United Kingdom were not accepted. A fleet listing dated 4 April 2018 recorded seven aircraft: one Airbus A300-600, two Antonov An-24s, one Antonov An-28, one Boeing 737-300QC, and two Fokker 50s. The range of aircraft types is consistent with a carrier serving different passenger and cargo requirements, although the reference does not establish which aircraft were operational at any particular time or how the fleet was deployed. Air West is also identified as being on the European Union list of air carriers banned from operating within the EU. The available material does not state when the listing took effect, the specific safety findings behind it, or whether the airline's regulatory position has changed. Current operations, ownership, certification, and fleet status therefore require confirmation from up-to-date aviation authorities and company records. Air West should not be confused with Hughes Airwest, a former American airline that previously operated under the Air West name.
- 2018
Fleet listing published
[1]A fleet account dated 4 April 2018 recorded seven aircraft across Airbus, Antonov, Boeing, and Fokker types.
- 2007
Flight 612 hijacking
[1]Air West Flight 612 was hijacked on 24 January and diverted from its Khartoum–El Fasher route to N'Djamena, where passengers were released and the hijacker arrested.
- 1992
Air West established
[1]The Sudanese airline was established in April 1992.
- 1992
Commercial operations begin
[1]Air West began operations in October 1992.
Products and positioning
A Sudan-centered regional airline combining domestic passenger transportation with international passenger links and cargo-charter capability.
Passenger aviation · 1992
Domestic passenger services
Air West operates or has operated passenger services within Sudan from its principal Khartoum base. The available reference identifies the carrier as providing domestic public services but does not supply a complete list of destinations, frequencies, or current schedules.
Passenger aviation
International passenger services
The airline is described as providing public passenger services connecting Sudan with Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The reference does not establish the current route map, service frequency, or whether all named markets remain active.
Air cargo
International cargo charters
Cargo charter flying forms part of Air West's described business scope. The reference does not identify customers, regular cargo routes, shipment categories, or the aircraft used for particular charter assignments.
Recent events
- 2018
Air West fleet recorded at seven aircraft[1]
Other
A fleet account dated 4 April 2018 listed one Airbus A300-600, two Antonov An-24s, one Antonov An-28, one Boeing 737-300QC, and two Fokker 50s.
- 2007
Air West Flight 612 hijacked and diverted to N'Djamena[1]
Other
A Boeing 737 operating from Khartoum to El Fasher was hijacked by a passenger armed with a pistol and knives. The aircraft landed safely in N'Djamena, Chad, all passengers were released, and the hijacker was arrested after negotiations.
Air West listed among air carriers banned in the European Union[1]
Regulation
Air West is identified in the reference material as being included on the European Union list of air carriers subject to an operating ban. The supplied material does not specify the listing date or the regulatory basis.
Sources1 sources
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