Jordan will not impose restrictions on number of flights between Amman and Sanaa — CARC

AMMAN — Jordan will not impose restrictions on the number of flights between Amman and Sanaa, Chief Commissioner of the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC) Captain Haitham Misto said on Monday, noting that currently, three flights are operating weekly between the two cities.

In a statement reported by Al Mamlaka TV, Misto said that there are currently three weekly flights from Sanaa to Amman and two flights from Aden to Amman.

Jordan has not specified any limitations on the number of flights, but Yemenia Airways has not submitted a request to increase the frequency of flights.

Yemenia Airways operates these flights connecting the two Yemeni cities and Amman.

Misto highlighted that Jordan serves as a destination for a portion of the travellers seeking medical treatment in the Kingdom's hospitals, while the majority transit to other destinations.

According to a previous statement by the Jordan Private Hospitals Association, in 2022, approximately 6,500 Yemeni patients were admitted to hospitals in Jordan, and around 19,500 Yemeni patients received healthcare services in clinics and health centres.

Thousands of Yemenis require urgent medical treatment that is not available in their country that has experienced infrastructure destruction.

Approximately 80 per cent of Yemen's population, totalling 30 million people, relies on humanitarian aid.

UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg, welcomed the increased number of flights between Sanaa and Amman last Saturday and called for the lifting of all restrictions on freedom of movement to and from Yemen.

Since 2014, Yemen has been experiencing a war between the Houthi group, who are aligned with Iran, and the internationally recognised Yemeni government forces, who enjoy Saudi Arabia’s support.

Recently, a Saudi delegation held talks with the Houthi group in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital under Houthi control, with the aim of reaching a ceasefire. A significant prisoner exchange operation between the two sides was carried out, spanning three days.

The recent prisoner exchange coincided with diplomatic efforts resulting from Saudi-Iranian rapprochement. These efforts aim to solidify a long-term ceasefire and pave the way for resolving the war.

The ceasefire agreement was mediated by the UN in April 2022 and has been extended twice. It has led to the longest period of relative calm, largely maintained since its expiration on November 2 of the previous year.

One of the provisions of the Yemen ceasefire agreement stipulated the operation of two weekly commercial flights to and from Sanaa, during the two-month ceasefire period, to Jordan and Egypt, according to the UN.