Saudi Gazette report

ADEN — Yemen’s Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Moammar Al-Eryani announced Tuesday that direct and regular flights from Jeddah to the island of Socotra will begin in the coming weeks to facilitate tourism and strengthen the archipelago’s presence on the global tourism map.

In posts on his X account, Al-Eryani said he agreed during a phone call with Yemenia Airways Chairman and Tourism Promotion Council leadership member Capt. Nasser Mahmoud to operate direct, regular flights between Jeddah and Socotra in the coming weeks.

He described the move as a practical step reflecting national responsibility and contributing to easing tourism travel and promoting Socotra internationally.

Al-Eryani praised the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for what he described as sincere fraternal cooperation and the technical and operational facilities it provided, saying the support played a direct role in the success of the step and reflected the depth of the strategic partnership between the two countries, as well as Saudi Arabia’s continued support for Yemen’s stability, state institutions, and development and humanitarian efforts.

He said Socotra will receive increased government attention in the next phase as part of a clear national direction to develop tourism infrastructure and regulate tourism activity in a way that preserves the archipelago’s environmental and human uniqueness.

He added that the move aims to reinforce Socotra’s status as a national and sovereign symbol and one of the world’s most important tourist destinations, within a comprehensive government vision to stimulate tourism, support the local economy, and achieve sustainable development.