Yemen : UN Resumes Humanitarian Air Service Flights to Sana’a After Two-Month Suspension

Sana’a __ The United Nations has announced the resumption of its humanitarian air service flights to and from Sana’a, the Yemeni capital under the control of Houthi militias, following nearly two months of suspension due to permit delays.  

The UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) confirmed in a post on its official account on X (formerly Twitter) that flights successfully resumed on May 24 after receiving the necessary clearances from Houthi authorities. The service stated it continues to connect Sana’a with Aden, ensuring humanitarian aid and relief workers can reach the most vulnerable populations.  

The World Food Programme (WFP), which manages UNHAS operations in Yemen, had earlier announced the suspension of all flights in early April, citing the lack of required authorizations from the Houthis.  

The resumption of flights is seen as a critical step to facilitate the entry and exit of NGO staff into Sana’a and to guarantee the delivery of humanitarian assistance to millions living in Houthi-controlled areas in northern Yemen.  

According to UNHAS, before the suspension, the service transported 401 personnel from 28 UN agencies, 41 NGOs, and two donor entities across 59 flights during March and April.