Airspace Closure Strands 400 Tourists on Socotra; When Will Flights Resume?

January 6, 2026 at 01:06 AM•3 min read

Grounded flights due to mainland clashes have stranded over 400 foreign tourists, including Russians and Western nationals, on the Yemeni island of Socotra.

Key Points

1Over 400 foreign tourists are stranded on the Yemeni island Socotra after flights were abruptly suspended.
2Flights were grounded due to a declared Socotra airspace closure amid intensified clashes between rival factions on the mainland.
3The primary air link from Abu Dhabi, operated by an Emirati airline, was suspended until at least Tuesday, impacting New Year's travelers.
4Embassies representing Russian, American, and European nationals are coordinating with Saudi and Yemeni governments for evacuation assistance.

Renewed fighting on the Yemeni mainland has led to a Socotra airspace closure, stranding hundreds of stranded foreign tourists on the remote island. Over 400 people are unable to depart after grounded flights suspended their travel plans. The island, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is located 380km (236 miles) south of the mainland.

Airspace Closure and Flight Suspension

Local officials report that 416 foreigners are currently stranded. This group includes more than 60 Russian nationals, as well as British, French, American, Chinese, and Polish citizens. Many had traveled to the island for New Year’s celebrations.

The flight suspension stems from escalating tensions. Clashes intensified between Saudi-backed government troops and secessionists linked to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Emirati airline suspension affects the primary air link. This route typically operates three times weekly from Abu Dhabi. The flights are often humanitarian charters, sometimes utilizing aircraft from carriers like Air Arabia.

Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the situation. A spokesperson noted the Yemen security situation had deteriorated. The Emirati airline suspended flights until at least Tuesday due to the closed airspace.

Diplomatic Efforts and Industry Impact

Stranded travelers are now contacting their respective embassies for help. Diplomatic missions are engaging the Saudi and Yemeni governments to arrange evacuation. Some tourists are exploring alternative sea routes to Oman.

The flight disruptions highlight the volatility of air operations in the region. The commercial aviation news is focused on the safety of passengers. The island is under the control of the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council. This group has recently clashed with the Saudi-backed government in the provinces of Hadramout and al-Mahra.

The U.S. Mission to Yemen issued an alert. It reminded citizens of the Level 4 Travel Advisory against all travel to Yemen, including Socotra.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) stresses the need for airspace safety. Political conflicts should not impact civilian air travel.

Mainland Airport Operations

While Socotra's airport remains affected, the main Emirates hub in the region remains operational. On the mainland, the Aden airport operations resumed on Sunday. This followed several days of disruption. However, officials estimate it will take days to clear the backlog of travelers. Efforts are also underway to restore service at the Seiyun airport in northern Hadramout. This is part of a broader pledge to re-establish security. For more updates on global aviation, visit flying.flights. The disruption underscores the critical risk of operating in conflict zones. It shows how quickly local fighting can affect global tourism and air transport.