Yemeni Airways announced on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, the signing of an agreement with Airbus to purchase eight new aircraft. The deal marks the largest in the national carrier's history, signifying a major investment in its future.

According to the state-run Saba news agency, the agreement was signed in Dubai by Yemeni Airways Chairman, Captain Nasser Mahmoud, and representatives of Airbus. The order includes four A320neo and four A321neo aircraft.

The agreement stipulates that Yemeni Airways will begin making payments in 2028, with the delivery of the eight aircraft scheduled to take place between 2031 and 2034, at a rate of two planes per year.

This acquisition is part of the airline's strategic plan to modernize its fleet and expand its network to include destinations across the Arab world and internationally.

The announcement comes amidst a tense situation involving the Houthi rebels, who have been internationally designated as a terrorist group. On June 26, 2024, Yemeni Airways accused the Houthis of seizing four of its planes at Sana'a International Airport, jeopardizing aviation safety and hindering operations within the country.

In response, the Presidential Leadership Council formed a government committee on June 28, headed by Prime Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak, to address the crisis. The committee's mandate includes restricting the Houthis' use of the seized aircraft until further notice, including the release of a plane held for two months and the lifting of a freeze on the airline's assets, estimated at over $100 million.

On June 30, 2024, the President of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, announced Kuwaiti support for Yemen, including the provision of three aircraft and engines for Yemeni Airways. Al-Alimi hailed the Kuwaiti support as a testament to the country's unwavering commitment to Yemen and its people.

The Kuwaiti government confirmed that it had approved a previous request from President Al-Alimi to the Emir of Kuwait for support in rehabilitating the Yemeni aviation sector through Yemeni Airways.

While official Yemeni sources reported on July 5, 2024, that efforts by the Yemeni government, with Saudi support, had forced the Houthis to back down and resolve the aircraft crisis, the situation remains unresolved.