News - Yemen: Abdulwahab Al-Durrah, the Minister of Transport, has firmly asserted that returning to square one when it comes to ending the siege on Sana'a International Airport by proposing partial solutions is not an option.

"There is no room for negotiation or compromise regarding the full reopening of our airports, as it is an established and legitimate right guaranteed by all international laws and conventions," Minister Al-Durrah stated.

He highlighted that the suspension of Yemeni Airlines flights through Sana'a International Airport and the airport's closure are clear indicators of the US-Saudi aggression's lack of commitment to peace.

The Minister of Transport has called upon Yemen Airways leadership to conduct its operations from the company's main headquarters in Sana'a, which possesses the necessary facilities, infrastructure, and a central aircraft workshop.

He explained that the US-Saudi aggression is exploiting the relocation of the company's management to occupied governorates, far from its primary center in Sana'a, to use it as a tool to maintain the blockade on Sana'a Airport.

Deputy Minister of Transport, Mohammed Al-Hashemi, affirmed that the full reopening of Sana'a International Airport is an absolute necessity, without any conditions or restrictions. He emphasized the Supreme Political Council's unwavering commitment to this cause.

"Gradual reopening of Sana'a Airport is no longer a viable option. The US-Saudi aggression and its proxies must understand that the humanitarian situation is not up for negotiation; it is a legal obligation protected by international conventions," he emphasized.

For his part, Mohammed Ishaq, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport for Maritime Affairs, disclosed ongoing plans and studies aimed at enhancing Yemen's Red Sea ports to accommodate more commercial ships.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Abdelqader, the head of Civil Aviation and Meteorology Officials, provided an update on international airlines' progress in resuming flights through Sana'a Airport. He underlined that Sana'a Airport adheres to international air navigation standards and regulations set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

It's important to note that Sana'a Airport serves as a critical lifeline for millions of Yemenis. Despite efforts to establish a ceasefire and de-escalation, the coalition of aggression has deliberately created uncertainty and instability regarding the airport's status.

Yemenia Airways has suspended flights to and from Sana'a International Airport under pressure from the US-Saudi aggression, which is viewed as an attempt to disrupt the ongoing Omani-mediated peace process.

Reuters has reported that Yemenia Airways will cease its flights between Sana'a and Jordan, beginning on October 1st.

On 9 August 2016, the Saudi-led coalition imposed restrictions on Yemen’s airspace resulting in the closure of Sana’a Airport to commercial flights, trapping millions of Yemenis in a war zone and preventing the free movement of humanitarian and commercial goods from entering through this route. As a result, thousands of Yemenis with long-term health conditions such as cancer, kidney, liver and blood conditions have died while waiting for treatment unavailable in Yemen.

The closure of the airport has also led to an almost complete halt to commercial cargo such as medicine, medical supplies and equipment coming into the country. Coupled with restrictions on Hodeidah port, this has caused prices of some medicine to double, making it unaffordable for most of the population and further contributing to the decline of Yemen’s health system, already decimated by the aggression.

With the beginning of the truce last year, the aggression tried to evade its commitment to open Sana'a airport and make flights only to one destination, Jordan, and for a very limited number.

Sana'a confirmed more than once that the continued closure of Sana'a airport proves the lack of seriousness of theUS-Saudi aggression to bring peace to Yemen.