CAMA: 1st flight from Sana'a Airport takes off to Jordan

SANA'A, May. 16 (Saba) - The first commercial flight took off on Monday from Sana'a International Airport to Jordan's Queen Alia Airport according to the armistice announced by the United Nations.

The Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority (CAMA) said that the flight carried 137 passengers after a six-year closure imposed by the US-Saudi aggression coalition, without a legal justification and in violation of all international conventions and covenants.

Most of the passengers who left Sana’a airport suffer from chronic diseases whose treatment in national hospitals has been hindered due to the lack of devices, diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, and necessary health supplies that were destroyed by the aggression after 8 years of course.

Head of the Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority (CAMA) Raed Jabal expressed his deep regret that a month and a half of the UN-brokered truce had passed, and none of the 16 commercial flights that were scheduled in accordance with the truce had been operated, noting that the first flight headed today to the Queen's Alia Airport in Amman, carrying 137 passengers, and it will return to Sana'a with 60 passengers.

Jabal confirmed that the Yemeni plane was received, in accordance with the international safety standards in force in all international airports, which confirms the technical and professional readiness of Sana'a Airport to receive all commercial and civil flights.

He called on the United Nations to continue operating commercial flights and to compensate Yemenis for flights that did not operate during the first month of the armistice

Jabal also called on the United Nations and the concerned authorities in the field of civil aviation and the humanitarian side to open Sana'a airport permanently to the Yemeni people without any restrictions or conditions.

Meanwhile, Director of Sana'a International Airport Khaled Al-Shayef affirmed the airport's readiness to receive flights and travelers in accordance with international standards and conditions.

He said, "In response to questions about the return of only 60 passengers from Amman on the first flight, we would like to clarify that on the previous date of the flight on April 24, about 150 passengers were in Amman, and when it was canceled they felt great frustration, and now there are only 60 passengers left in Amman."

A number of travelers have expressed their satisfaction with the operation of flights from Sana'a International Airport, stressing that closing the airport is a violation of the right of Yemenis to freedom of movement and travel.

J.A, E.M