Yemen’s national airline has taken the decision to suspend its sole international commercial flight originating from Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. This action comes in response to the Houthi administration’s refusal to allow the carrier to access its funds held in Sanaa banks. According to four company executives who spoke to Reuters anonymously, Yemenia will cease its six weekly flights to Jordan in October.
Negotiations between Yemenia and the Houthi authorities failed to resolve the issue of releasing the airline’s funds, which reportedly amount to $80 million. Yemenia had proposed a compromise, offering 70% of the funds to the Houthi administration and the remaining 30% to the internationally recognized government, but this proposal was rejected by the Houthi side. Consequently, Yemenia made the decision to suspend its flights to Jordan.
In a statement, Yemenia expressed its frustration at being unable to access its funds in Sanaa banks for several months and called on the Houthi authorities to lift what it deemed as “illegally” imposed restrictions on its assets. Reuters attempted to contact the Houthi Ministry of Transport for comment but was unsuccessful.
It’s worth noting that Yemenia had resumed flights between Sanaa and Amman, Jordan’s capital, in April 2022. The ongoing power struggle in Yemen, with the Houthi rebels aligned with Iran, has left them in control of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, since late 2014.
