Azza Transport
A Sudanese cargo airline that operated charter flights across Africa and the Middle East.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Azza Transport Company, also known as Azza Air Transport, was a Sudanese aviation company headquartered in Khartoum. Its principal business was air cargo, with charter operations linking Sudan to destinations in Africa and the Middle East. The airline was also associated with plans to develop services to Europe, although the available reference material does not establish that those services were launched. The company was established in 1993 and began operating in September of the same year. Its main base was Khartoum International Airport. The business operated freighter aircraft rather than presenting itself primarily as a scheduled passenger carrier. Available fleet information from October 2009 lists Antonov An-12 and An-26 aircraft together with two Ilyushin Il-76TD aircraft. A Boeing 707-330C was also used on a cargo flight involved in a fatal accident at Sharjah in 2009. The reference material describes the airline as having approximately 350 employees, though the date and continuing applicability of that figure are not specified. Azza became internationally scrutinized because of allegations concerning the movement of military personnel and equipment in Sudan. On May 30, 2007, the United States Department of State included Azza Transport Company in a sanctions designation concerning alleged transfers of small arms, ammunition, and artillery to Sudanese government forces and Janjaweed militia operating in Darfur. In May 2009, United Nations observers reported seeing an Azza aircraft transport more than one hundred Sudanese Armed Forces personnel and military equipment to Geneina Airport in Darfur, which observers regarded as inconsistent with international sanctions. These allegations and designations were central to the company's public profile and materially distinguished it from an ordinary regional cargo operator. The airline experienced two recorded fatal aviation accidents in the reference material. On October 21, 2009, Flight 2241, a Boeing 707 freighter, crashed during takeoff from Sharjah International Airport in the United Arab Emirates; all six crew members died. On October 7, 2012, an Antonov An-12 registered ST-ASA crashed after departing Khartoum while operating a military flight. The aircraft reportedly suffered failure of both engines on its left wing. The supplied sources do not establish the company's final operating date, any formal liquidation, or whether all operations ceased after the 2012 accident. Accordingly, its present corporate status remains unconfirmed.
History
Azza Transport Company was established in Sudan in 1993 and began operations in September that year. Also referred to as Azza Air Transport, it was based in Khartoum and used Khartoum International Airport as its principal operating base. The company developed around cargo aviation and charter work, serving routes and contracts within Africa and the Middle East. It was reportedly planning an expansion toward Europe, but the available account does not confirm that European operations commenced. The airline's reported ownership included Omdurman National Bank, Shaikan Insurances, and Sheikan Insurance. Reference material also describes a workforce of about 350 employees, although no precise date is provided for that estimate. Its fleet information from October 2009 identifies a small freighter fleet consisting of one Antonov An-12, one Antonov An-26, and two Ilyushin Il-76TD aircraft. The company also operated a Boeing 707-330C freighter on at least one cargo service. Azza's history became closely linked to the Sudan conflict and international sanctions. In May 2007, the United States Department of State designated the company as part of a sanctions action involving Sudanese businesses. The stated allegation was that Azza had transferred small arms, ammunition, and artillery to Sudanese government forces and Janjaweed militia in Darfur. In May 2009, United Nations observers reported that an Azza aircraft transported more than one hundred Sudanese Armed Forces personnel and military equipment to Geneina Airport in Darfur. The observers treated that movement as contrary to applicable international sanctions. These events made the airline a subject of diplomatic and regulatory concern beyond the normal commercial aviation sphere. The company was also involved in two fatal accidents recorded in the available references. On October 21, 2009, Azza Flight 2241, operated by a Boeing 707-330C freighter, crashed during takeoff at Sharjah International Airport in the United Arab Emirates. The accident killed all six crew members. On October 7, 2012, an Antonov An-12 registered ST-ASA crashed shortly after departing Khartoum on a military flight. The aircraft reportedly experienced failure of both engines on its left wing. The supplied reference material does not state whether the company subsequently ceased trading, was formally dissolved, or continued under another structure. Its current status therefore cannot be determined with confidence.
- 2012
ST-ASA accident
[1]An Azza Antonov An-12 crashed after takeoff from Khartoum while operating a military flight.
- 2009
UN report on Darfur transport
[1]United Nations observers reported an Azza aircraft carrying Sudanese Armed Forces personnel and military equipment to Geneina Airport.
- 2009
Flight 2241 crash
[1]An Azza Boeing 707 freighter crashed during takeoff at Sharjah, killing all six crew members.
- 2007
United States sanctions designation
[1]The United States included Azza Transport Company in a sanctions designation concerning alleged transfers of weapons and ammunition to forces involved in the Darfur conflict.
- 1993
Company established
[1]Azza Transport Company was established in Sudan.
- 1993
Operations begin
[1]The airline began operating in September, focusing on cargo and charter aviation.
Products and positioning
Sudanese regional cargo and charter airline
Cargo aviation · 1993
Air freight
Azza's core commercial activity was the carriage of freight using dedicated cargo aircraft. Its operations were described as extending across Africa and the Middle East, with aircraft types suited to heavy or outsized cargo rather than a conventional passenger-focused network.
Charter aviation · 1993
Cargo charter services
The airline operated cargo charter flights from its Khartoum base. Charter work allowed the company to serve specific contracts and destinations rather than relying exclusively on a fixed scheduled timetable. The available material also records military and government-related flights.
Regional aviation
Regional air transport
Azza provided regional aviation capacity connecting Sudan with other African and Middle Eastern markets. Plans for European services were reported, but the reference material does not confirm that this proposed expansion became an operating route network.
Controversies
2009
UN allegation concerning military transport to Darfur
United Nations observers reported that an Azza aircraft carried Sudanese Armed Forces personnel and military equipment to Geneina Airport, which they considered a breach of international sanctions.
2007
US sanctions over alleged arms transfers
The United States Department of State sanctioned Azza Transport Company in connection with allegations that it transferred small arms, ammunition, and artillery to Sudanese government forces and Janjaweed militia in Darfur.
Sources1 sources
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