Acting Minister of Transport, Nasser Ahmed Sharif, stated that Socotra International Airport has witnessed unusually high air traffic in recent days due to an increase in arriving and departing flights operated by Yemen Airways. This reflects the growing air activity and improved connectivity between the archipelago and the rest of Yemen, as well as several Arab countries.
Sharif added that Yemen Airways has operated four flights from Socotra to Jeddah since the beginning of this year, transporting 609 passengers of Arab and foreign nationalities who had been stranded on the island for several days. This was part of humanitarian and logistical efforts to address the situation of these travelers.
The Deputy Minister of Transport confirmed that the efforts exerted in coordination with Saudi Arabia have resulted in the opening of a direct Yemen Airways route between Socotra and Jeddah, with flights scheduled to commence on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
He indicated that this step is part of expanding travel destinations and strengthening international air connectivity, as part of efforts to organize flights and facilitate travel procedures for passengers, thereby improving transportation to and from the archipelago.
