BBC Verify Live: Apparent ‘Ghost Flights‘ Explained at Khartoum Airport
Khartoum, Sudan – Following the resumption of civilian flights this week at Sudan’s Khartoum International Airport - after a suspension of over two years due to civil war - flight tracking data has shown scheduled flights appearing to arrive and depart, onyl to be labeled “unknown” after their scheduled times. BBC Verify has been monitoring operations at the airport as its reopening and investigated the discrepancy.
The phenomenon, observed using flight tracking sites like Flightradar24, initially raised questions about actual air traffic. However, the issue stems from airlines failing to update their regular schedules on third-party data providers even after the airport’s closure. This results in flights remaining listed as scheduled, then appearing as “unknown” when no tracking data is received.
“Flights are listed as unknown after the scheduled time of departure/arrival has passed and we have not received an updated schedule or tracked the aircraft,” explained Ian Petchenik, Flightradar24’s communications director.
As of Wednesday, when the frist passenger flight since 2023 arrived at Khartoum airport, BBC Verify has not identified any further confirmed arrivals or departures beyond that initial flight. The inquiry highlights the complexities of verifying details in conflict zones and the reliance on accurate data feeds for situational awareness.
