MUKALLA, Yemen — On January 1, 2025, Yemen's Ministry of Transport announced that Yemenia Airways has received approval from Egyptian authorities to resume direct flights between Al-Riyan Airport in Mukalla, Hadhramaut, and Cairo International Airport.

In a statement published on its website, monitored by Barran Press, the ministry noted that the inauguration of these flights and the announcement of a schedule will take place within the next two weeks. The resumption marks the end of a more than decade-long suspension of air travel between the two cities.

Transport Minister Abdulsalam Hamid expressed his congratulations to the people of Hadhramaut and neighboring regions, emphasizing that this development will alleviate their travel burdens, which previously required journeys to Seiyun Airport or other locations to reach Cairo.

Hamid praised the efforts of Yemenia Airways' leadership and the General Authority for Civil Aviation and Meteorology, commending the persistent follow-up by the Hadhramaut governor and the role played by the Yemeni embassy in Egypt.

The minister also extended gratitude to the authorities of the Arab Republic of Egypt, acknowledging the support provided to the Yemeni people since the onset of the Houthi conflict in 2015 and throughout various phases of bilateral relations.

On November 22, Egyptian Civil Aviation Minister Sameh Hefny announced that technical preparations for the recommencement of Yemenia flights between Al-Riyan and Cairo were nearing completion, with flights expected to start before the end of the year.

In July 2024, the Transport Ministry had announced the resumption of direct flights between Al-Riyan Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai after a similar 10-year suspension. Al-Riyan Airport itself began limited operations in February 2023 after years of inactivity due to the ongoing conflict.