The Dire Consequences of Yemen’s Ongoing Air Blockade by the Saudi–Emirati Coalition

Khaled al-Shayef, director of Sana’a International Airport, told Al-Masirah TV that the air blockade is being used by the Saudi–Emirati coalition as a tool of political pressure against Yemen. He noted that over 500,000 patients in Yemen currently require travel abroad for treatment.

Al-Shayef also confirmed the airport’s readiness to resume flights, stating that aircraft could be arranged if the blockade were lifted, but the coalition continues to impose restrictions and intimidate many airlines.

According to Yemeni government estimates, under normal conditions the number of flights and passengers was expected to reach 4 million by the end of 2025. However, this projection was derailed due to repeated Zionist airstrikes on the airport, which disabled its facilities on two separate occasions.