Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak has instructed the immediate completion of all necessary procedures to urgently commence commercial flights from Mokha International Airport in Taiz Governorate, according to a report by the state-run Saba news agency on Tuesday.

The came during a cabinet meeting in the interim capital, Aden, chaired by bin Mubarak. Discussions centered on operational plans for the airport, with the Prime Minister also advocating for opening the facility to various airlines.

Bin Mubarak received updates on infrastructure progress and airport readiness from Taiz Deputy Governor Rashad Al-Akkhali, aviation advisor Brigadier General Tareq Saleh, Captain Nabil Dhaifallah, and airport director Khaled Abdul Latif.

The meeting also addressed ongoing coordination with the Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority, and Yemenia Airways to launch the inaugural commercial flight. Bin Mubarak reiterated the government's commitment to developing airports in liberated areas and commended the efforts in realizing the Mokha Airport project.

The Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority in Aden had announced in April 2024 that Mokha Airport was technically and administratively prepared for operations as a Category G airport, initially authorized for daytime flights. However, the airport has yet to commence actual flight operations.

At that time, the authority encouraged all airlines and international organizations flying into Yemen to utilize the newly operational facility, which has been assigned the international ICAO code OYMK.

Constructed under the supervision of Presidential Council member Tareq Saleh and with funding from the United Arab Emirates, the airport boasts a 3,000-meter runway and a 75-meter-wide taxiway, capable of accommodating up to three aircraft of varying sizes. Its departure terminal has a capacity of 90 to 120 passengers.