Transport Minister of the internationally-recognised Yemeni government Mohsen Haidra Al-Amri revealed plans to The New Arab to expand air transport in Yemen and end reliance on the national carrier as the sole operator, particularly amid growing demand for travel that now exceeds the currently available operational capacity.
However, Al-Amri neither confirmed nor denied whether this would include the resumption of flights from Sanaa International Airport, amid reports of attempts to resolve the issue according to informed sources who spoke to TNA. Anticipation is widespread in Yemen over such a step, which many citizens and travellers have been awaiting following the closure of the airport about a year ago after Israeli air strikes destroyed four civilian aircraft belonging to Yemenia Airways.
Al-Amri told TNA that the Ministry of Transport could not confirm any reports or understandings unless they were officially announced.
"As of this moment, there is no official announcement confirming that an agreement has been reached on this matter," he said coyly.
Yemen's Transport Minister Mohsen Al-Amri noted that the country's air transport market had become larger than before in terms of passenger traffic and demand for travel.
He said this prompted a decision to open Yemen's airspace and invite Arab, regional and international airlines to resume and operate flights through Aden International Airport and other airports in areas controlled by the internationally recognised Yemeni government to expand travel options for citizens.
The internationally recognised Yemeni government faces numerous obstacles and challenges in opening Yemen's airspace to Arab, regional and international civil aviation authorities and airlines to reduce strain on the country's sole national carrier, Yemenia Airways.
Airlines that have been invited are approaching the matter with great caution and, so far, have limited their engagement to enquiries about the security situation and the readiness of airports.
This move also occurs amid growing debate over Sanaa International Airport, which recently received an Iranian aircraft for the first time in 10 years.
The past period has witnessed numerous attempts to resolve the economic aspects of the conflict within the roadmap between the Yemeni parties, including the resumption of Yemenia Airways flights through Sanaa International Airport. Yemen has also seen broad efforts to develop the sector since the Ministry of Transport announced in mid-June 2026 the opening of the country's airspace for the first time in more than 10 years to Arab, regional and international civil aviation authorities, as well as Arab and foreign airlines.
Through the Yemeni General Authority of Civil Aviation and Meteorology, it invited airlines to resume or begin operating flights to Yemen through Aden International Airport.
The relevant aviation authorities are studying applications from airlines, whose identities have not been disclosed, to operate flights to Yemen through Aden International Airport, according to the Yemeni aviation authority's announcement.
Sources also say that, if understandings are reached on reopening Sanaa International Airport, operations will not be limited to Yemenia Airways flights.
Yemenia Airways is under significant pressure because the growing demand for travel now exceeds its available operational capacity.
The Yemeni transport minister said Aden International Airport and the country's other airports were ready to provide all operational and technical services in accordance with international standards while also being prepared to offer the necessary facilities to all airlines wishing to operate.
Sources told TNA that approval to open Yemen's airspace to Arab and foreign airlines came after all attempts to ease pressure on Yemenia Airways failed after the carrier lost more than half of its fleet in 2024.
Sources added that regional tensions, in addition to international energy and shipping crisis, created further challenges that relevant authorities were unable to address.
Al-Amri said airlines wishing to operate from Yemen would be subject to the applicable standards governing aviation safety and security , compliance with their requirements, adherence to national regulations and international agreements governing civil aviation as a condition for obtaining a licence. Article translated from Arabic by Afrah Almatwari. To read the original, click here .