Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
Yemeni Minister of Transport Mohsen Al-Amri confirmed that the relevant authorities prevented an aircraft operated by Iran’s Mahan Air from continuing its flight to the capital, Sana’a, and forced it to turn back because it had not completed the required procedures or passed through the officially approved channels.
Al-Amri said the decision was made after the flight violated the procedures governing entry into Yemeni airspace, stressing that all air traffic within Yemeni airspace is subject to the regulations and clearances issued by the country’s internationally recognized civil aviation authority.
According to data from flight tracking and air traffic monitoring systems, the Mahan Air aircraft altered its course and returned after approaching Oman’s Dhofar Governorate. Flight tracking data indicated that the aircraft had been heading toward Sana’a, which is under the control of the Houthi group.
The decision to deny the Iranian aircraft access came after the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Meteorology in Yemeni interim capital of Aden announced a new circular requiring all airlines, international organizations, and flight operators to obtain prior authorization before entering the airspace of the Republic of Yemen.
The authority confirmed that Circular No. 03-2026 took effect on July 18, 2026, emphasizing that applications for flight clearance must be submitted through officially approved channels, as it is the legitimate civil aviation authority of the Republic of Yemen.
The authority called on all airlines, international organizations, and flight operators to comply with the new procedures, explaining that the measure is intended to regulate air navigation and ensure adherence to the regulations governing Yemeni airspace.
