Sana'a: Yemen marked International Civil Aviation Day with a protest and a press conference at Sana'a International Airport, organized by the Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority, the National Human Rights Authority, and the Ministry of Health and Environment. Participants, including senior officials from these organizations, highlighted the humanitarian crisis resulting from the prolonged closure of Sana'a Airport, now in its tenth year.
According to Yemen News Agency, the event underscored that the blockade on the airport is seen as a crime against humanity and a violation of international conventions. Ali Taysir, Chairman of the National Human Rights Authority, stressed that the airport's closure since March 2015 amounts to a war crime. He noted that prior to the blockade, the airport was serving approximately 2.5 million passengers annually, with additional traffic through Hodeidah International Airport.
The humanitarian toll has been severe, with more than 1.5 million patients dying due to the lack of medical supplies and essential medicines, and 125,000 others perishing because they could not travel abroad for treatment. Taysir highlighted that there are still 250,000 critical cases requiring urgent evacuation for life-saving care. He called on the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to fulfill its legal and moral obligations to Yemen, one of its earliest member states.
Khaled Al-Shaif, Director of Sana'a International Airport, emphasized that despite being fully operational, the airport remains closed. He pointed out that while global aviation continues to facilitate travel for millions, Yemenis are denied similar rights, with 15 patients dying daily due to travel restrictions. He reiterated that the closure constitutes a violation of Yemen's rights as an ICAO member and urged international bodies to reopen the airport.
Dr. Mazen Ghanem, Director of Air Transport at the Civil Aviation Authority, remarked on the disconnect between global aviation celebrations and Yemen's harsh reality. He described the airport's closure as a violation of the Chicago Convention and international humanitarian law, urging the international community to lift the blockade and allow unrestricted flights.
Dr. Anis Al-Asbahi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Environment, highlighted the devastating impact on the health sector, with thousands of patients unable to receive timely treatment due to the blockade. He called for the urgent reopening of Sana'a Airport to address the health crisis.
A joint statement from the participating organizations called for an immediate and unconditional lifting of the blockade on Sana'a Airport, the reopening of all Yemeni airports for civilian flights, and the intervention of international bodies to address the humanitarian crisis.
The event was attended by various officials, including Dr. Abdulhamid Abu Talib, Deputy Chairman for Safety at the Civil Aviation Authority, and Dr. Naji Al-Sahmi, Dean of the Civil Aviation Institute, among others.