Socotra / Tuesday / August 11, 2026
The Governor of Socotra Archipelago Governorate, Eng. Raafat Ali Ibrahim Al-Thaqli, met today with a delegation from the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Meteorology, headed by Dr. Nasser Naji, Assistant Deputy for the Airports Sector.
The meeting focused on developing Socotra International Airport and upgrading its services to enhance readiness for the expected growth in air and tourism traffic in the coming period.
Discussions covered the airport’s current needs for development and modernization, service levels, equipment, and facilities. Both sides stressed the importance of strengthening operational capacity to match Socotra’s unique tourism status and the anticipated rise in flights and visitors during the upcoming tourist season.
Governor Al-Thaqli affirmed that Socotra International Airport is the main gateway to the archipelago and the first impression for visitors. He called for continued improvements to facilities and services to reflect Socotra’s distinctive environmental and tourism value locally and internationally.
The meeting also addressed proposals to upgrade infrastructure and improve operational and passenger services, to ensure the airport can handle increasing demand.
The Civil Aviation delegation confirmed the Authority’s commitment to supporting Socotra International Airport and following up on its needs to improve services and accommodate growing air traffic.
Our Perspective:
We welcomes these developments at Socotra International Airport.
Improved facilities and increased flight capacity are key to making Socotra more accessible to travelers who want to experience its UNESCO-listed nature, unique biodiversity, and pristine beaches.
We see this as an important step toward boosting sustainable tourism in Socotra and making it easier for visitors to discover one of the world’s most unique destinations.
