Yemenia Airways to Launch Direct Socotra-Jeddah Service

Yemenia Airways has resumed direct flights between Socotra Island and Jeddah, marking the first service of its kind in years, Al-Arabiya reported on Tuesday.

According to a press statement, the first direct flight is scheduled for Jan. 7 and will evacuate foreign tourists who have been stranded on the island after the president of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership, Rashad Al-Alimi, declared a 90-day state of emergency on Dec. 30, and also imposed a three-day closure on all ports and border crossings.

Hundreds of tourists have been trapped on Socotra after flights were suspended due to recent military escalation in the governorates of Hadramout and Al-Mahra.

Government forces, supported by aircraft from the Saudi-led coalition, regained control of all areas in Hadramout and Al-Mahra following limited clashes with forces affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council.

Mohsen Haida, deputy director for commercial affairs at Yemenia Airways, said the company plans to operate regular weekly flights between Jeddah and Socotra, according to German news agency dpa.

He added that the initiative is part of the airline’s broader strategy to enhance air connectivity with key destinations, facilitate passenger movement, support the local economy, and strengthen Socotra’s position on the international tourism map.