The Yemeni Tourism Union has accused the Houthi group of organizing a flight from Sana'a International Airport to Amman, Jordan, without obtaining official permits, calling it a "reckless act" and a "crime."

Bassel Hizam, President of the Yemeni Tourism Union, issued a statement on Thursday, September 5, 2024, condemning the actions of Khalil Jahaf, the sales manager and Houthi representative for Yemenia Airways in Sana'a. Hizam stated that Jahaf organized the flight on an Airbus 330 to Amman without any official authorization.

"This act reflects a complete disregard for the lives of passengers and a blatant violation of international aviation standards," Hizam said. "Over 270 passengers were on board the aircraft that took off in defiance of the law, with the complicity of the operations manager who allowed this reckless act to occur."

Hizam emphasized that this was not a mere incident but a "crime" that put the lives of hundreds of innocent people at risk. He highlighted the Houthi group's prioritization of its political agenda over the safety of citizens.

Hizam held the Yemenia Airways operations manager responsible for preventing any aircraft from taking off without complete authorization. He stated that the operations manager clearly violated his duties and responsibilities, warranting strict accountability.

"We, at the Yemeni Tourism Union, strongly condemn these irresponsible practices," Hizam said, calling for immediate intervention from relevant authorities to stop these crimes against passengers.

He added that the continued criminal activities in the aviation sector cannot be ignored and that those responsible must be held accountable. "People's lives are not a game," he said, emphasizing the need for everyone to adhere to international laws and standards to ensure the safety and security of all.

Since late June, the Houthi group, internationally recognized as a terrorist organization, has been holding four passenger planes belonging to Yemenia Airways at Sana'a International Airport, which is under their control.

In a previous statement, Yemenia Airways expressed surprise at the Houthi group's seizure of three of their Airbus 320 aircraft. The airline stated that the number of its aircraft held by the Houthis had risen to four, as the group had previously seized another Airbus 330 passenger plane more than a month earlier.