Aden, Yemen - A Yemenia Airlines flight caused panic among residents of Aden on Saturday, May 18, 2024, after circling the city for over two hours. While social media buzzed with speculation of a technical issue, both the airline and the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Meteorology (GACA) swiftly dispelled such claims.

Training Exercise, Not Technical Difficulty

A navigation source confirmed to "Barran Press" that the prolonged flight was part of a training exercise for Yemeni pilots who had recently completed simulator training in Amman, Jordan. The source emphasized that the plane, flown without passengers, operated under the supervision of aviation officials and followed established procedures.

GACA Denies False Information

GACA issued a statement on its Facebook page, refuting claims circulating on social media about a technical malfunction preventing the plane from landing. The authority labeled such information as "false and inaccurate," clarifying that the flight was a pre-approved training exercise conducted without passengers. GACA urged the public to verify the information before sharing it.

Initial Panic and Speculation

Earlier in the day, the extended flight time sparked fear among Aden residents, with some activists attributing it to a technical issue. However, the prompt clarification from both the airline and GACA helped alleviate concerns.