Yemenia Airways launches direct flights between Socotra and Jeddah to support tourism

In a historic move reflecting a qualitative shift in Yemeni air transport, Yemen Airways announced the launch of a direct flight connecting the Socotra archipelago, a jewel of the Indian Ocean, with Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. This announcement is not merely a temporary service, but rather the beginning of a new era of tourism and economic development for the island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Details of the first trip and operational objectives

Professor Mohsen Haidara, Deputy General Manager for Commercial Affairs at Yemen Airways, explained that the first direct flights are scheduled to depart on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. This step comes in response to an urgent need to evacuate foreign tourists stranded on the island due to the complications of previous air routes, which confirms the national carrier's commitment to its responsibilities towards visitors to Yemen.

The company confirmed that it has completed all the technical and logistical arrangements to ensure the safety and smooth operation of these flights, as part of a comprehensive plan to address the operational challenges that the Yemeni aviation sector has faced in recent years.

Strategic importance and tourism dimensions

This air link is of particular importance given Socotra Island's global significance. The archipelago's difficult accessibility has long hindered the flow of ecotourism for which the island is renowned, thanks to its unique biodiversity and rare dragon's blood trees. The direct route to Jeddah, the gateway to the Two Holy Mosques and a regional economic hub, is expected to contribute to:

• Facilitating access for international tourists to Socotra via Saudi airports.
• Boosting trade and providing export outlets for the archipelago's local products.
• Repositioning Socotra on the international tourism map as a safe and accessible destination.

Ending isolation and alleviating human suffering

For his part, journalist and political analyst Salah al-Din al-Asadi described the move as a “long-awaited strategic shift.” Speaking to Al-Youm, he noted that this connection reconnects Socotra to its Arab roots and ends years of isolation that exacerbated the suffering of its inhabitants.

Al-Asadi added that the humanitarian dimension of this decision is no less important than the economic one; the people of Socotra have long suffered from arduous and costly journeys to reach the Yemeni mainland or to travel abroad for medical treatment or to perform Umrah and Hajj. The direct flight will shorten distances and travel times, reflecting the deep social and historical ties between the island's inhabitants and the Kingdom.

The Saudi role and the future of travel

Observers praised Saudi Arabia's pivotal role in supporting Yemen's transportation sector, both through airport rehabilitation and streamlining air traffic control procedures. The Deputy Director General of Yemen Airways revealed the company's intention to launch a regular weekly flight between Jeddah and Socotra in the near future, which will bolster the sustainability of this vital artery and support stability and development efforts in the liberated governorates.