KEY POINTS
- Roughly 400–600 foreign tourists became stuck on Yemen’s Socotra Island after flights were suspended amid mainland conflict.
- National and international authorities worked to evacuate visitors, with hundreds flown to Saudi Arabia.
- Embassies and travelers faced limited options and uncertainty due to closed ports and chaotic logistics.
Scores of foreign travellers were stranded on Socotra Island, a remote Yemeni tourist destination, after flights were suspended in early January 2026.
The disruption followed escalated fighting on Yemen’s mainland that led authorities to declare a state of emergency and halt air traffic to and from the island.
Socotra lies roughly 300–380 km (186–236 miles) south of Yemen’s coast in the Indian Ocean, renowned for its unique biodiversity and striking landscapes that draw adventure travellers.
It has been relatively insulated from decades of Yemen’s civil war but remains geopolitically sensitive.
Local officials said that between 400 and 700 foreign tourists were affected, including visitors from countries such as Russia, Britain, France, the United States, China and Poland.
Many had travelled to Socotra for New Year’s celebrations or adventure trips when flights abruptly stopped.
The island’s airport, previously serviced mainly through connections from the United Arab Emirates and internal routes, was closed with no clear timetable for reopening.
Travelers reported limited information and faced logistical challenges due to the sudden suspension of services.
Some tourists spoke with media outlets and embassies, noting that officials were organising alternative exit plans.
In certain cases, travellers were advised to consider sea routes to Oman where they could catch onward flights, given the closure of regular flights.
Yemeni authorities, in coordination with Saudi partners and national carrier Yemenia Airways, organised special flights to evacuate stranded visitors.
By January 10, the government said it had completed the evacuation of hundreds of tourists, flying them to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on multiple flights.
Ambassadors from several countries were reportedly in contact with local officials to assist citizens and help coordinate departures.
Some travellers noted that consular support was limited due to the broader instability in Yemen and the lack of diplomatic presence on the island itself.
The sudden access disruption underscored the island’s geographic isolation and fragile travel links, which rely on limited flight schedules and airspace control.
Even outside times of crisis, Socotra’s connectivity is sparse, with few weekly flights and challenging logistics for visitors.
Security concerns stem from broader conflict dynamics on the Yemeni mainland, where rival armed factions backed by regional powers have escalated clashes.
Although Socotra itself has remained comparatively untouched by direct fighting, regional tensions have rippled into travel infrastructure and civil aviation governance.
As evacuations concluded, authorities said efforts would continue to reopen regular air services and restore access.
Plans to resume flights through nearby hubs could help rebuild confidence among visitors and the tourism industry once conditions allow.
For travellers considering visits to Socotra in the future, the events highlight the potential volatility of travel access in politically sensitive regions.
Seasonal travel warnings and advisories remain in effect, reflecting ongoing risks associated with Yemen’s security context.
