Sana'a Ticket Ban Sparks Houthi Fury… Yemeni Airline Bombed, Passengers Stranded

A decision by Yemen Airways to reject flight tickets issued from its branch in Houthi-controlled Sana'a has sparked outrage from the Houthi authorities, who condemned the move as a violation of citizens' rights.

The General Authority for Civil Aviation and Meteorology, under Houthi control, slammed the airline’s Aden-based management for banning the use of Sana’a-issued tickets and warned that the decision would deepen the suffering of Yemeni citizens—particularly sick patients stranded abroad who cannot afford new tickets due to dire economic conditions.

The statement read:

“Internal administrative disputes should not come at the expense of the ordinary citizen. Yemen Airways is a national carrier owned by all Yemenis and must remain neutral in political conflicts.”

The Houthis accused the Aden administration of using the airline to impose "retaliatory policies" and demanded an immediate reversal of the decision to ensure equitable air travel services for all Yemenis.

This escalation follows Yemen Airways’ announcement last Wednesday of a full and indefinite suspension of flights from Sana’a International Airport after four Israeli airstrikes destroyed the runway and a commercial aircraft owned by the airline.

Previously, Houthi militants had seized four aircraft from Yemen Airways during last year’s Hajj season. Israeli strikes later targeted those planes, ultimately destroying all four by the end of March.

The ongoing dispute reflects the deep institutional fragmentation within Yemen and leaves ordinary citizens bearing the brunt of political and military conflict.

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