Aden (South24 Center) 

An informed source told South24 Center on Thursday (January 1) that domestic and international flights to and from Aden International Airport have been suspended due to new Saudi measures and pressures targeting the airport’s operational mechanisms.

The source, who requested anonymity, stated that Riyadh has stopped issuing flight permits as part of its efforts to reinstate the inspection mechanism for aircraft arriving at and departing from Aden Airport via Saudi Arabia's Bisha Airport.

Additionally, Saudi Arabia has reverted to a previously abolished procedure, requiring passenger manifests and identification for any flight 48 hours prior to its scheduled departure.

The source added that Saudi Arabia had previously ceased requesting passenger lists for Aden Airport after the Houthi group refused to implement the same measure when flights from Sanaa Airport were launched two years ago.

The source pointed out that these recent Saudi measures effectively halted operations at Aden International Airport today and led to flight cancellations, with the exception of routes between Aden–Jeddah and Aden–Riyadh.

On December 30, the President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Rashad Al-Alimi, announced from Riyadh a 90-day state of emergency and a 72-hour ban on movement at the country’s ports and airports. 

Four PLC members currently in the country, including Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, rejected these measures, labeling them as unilateral and a violation of the declaration that transferred power from former President Hadi to the PLC.

These measures raise serious concerns about increasing the suffering of citizens, as Aden International Airport serves as the primary artery for movement for people from across all parts of Yemen.