Over 400 Tourists Stranded on Socotra as Flights Suspended

(YEMEN) — Socotra’s local authorities declared a state of emergency on December 30, 2025, shutting ports of entry and leaving more than 400 foreign tourists stranded on Socotra Island as flights were suspended.

Overview of the disruption

Tourists and tour operators said regular connections stopped after the emergency declaration, trapping visitors who arrived around December 27 for New Year’s and expected to return quickly.

A local official put the number at 416 foreigners. Other reports and officials said more than 400 foreign tourists were stuck on the island, including:

• Russians (more than 60)
• Poles
• Europeans
• Asians
• Brazilians
• Italians
• Americans
• At least two Chinese nationals

Flights and transport links affected

Flights between Socotra and Abu Dhabi had been a main tourism lifeline. Travelers and agencies said the usual route — three weekly flights via Air Arabia — was disrupted.

Key timeline and actions:

1. December 30, 2025 — State of emergency declared; ports closed.
2. Around December 27 — Many tourists had arrived for New Year’s visits.
3. Cancellations began over the weekend and worsened by January 2.
4. January 2 — Air Arabia canceled return flights, including a January 2 return flight.
5. Travelers reported inbound and outbound flights from Abu Dhabi were stopped for at least January 4–6.
6. January 2, 2026 — U.S. Embassy issued an alert confirming emergency closure of Socotra’s ports.

Socotra’s airport remained closed in the most recent accounts from stranded travelers and officials, with no regular connections operating.

Local and official responses

• Yahya bin Afrar, Socotra’s deputy governor for culture and tourism, confirmed more than 400 tourists were stranded and called for flights to resume. He urged the airport to stay out of politics.
• A local official (unnamed) appealed for the airport to remain neutral and confirmed 416 foreigners were stuck.
• Dozens of tourists have been trying to reach their embassies, according to a Western diplomat and local authorities.

Security context

The emergency measures coincided with clashes on Yemen’s mainland between rival factions backed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Reports linked the escalation to inter-Yemeni conflict and to a UAE military withdrawal from the island amid Saudi pressure.

Although Socotra is part of Yemen, many travelers said they had viewed it as isolated from mainland conflict and believed it was safe enough for tourism. Several visitors said they received no prior safety warnings before traveling.

“If there was any warning. I would not have come here,” one tourist said.

Practical difficulties for stranded tourists

Travelers described immediate practical problems while waiting for flights to resume:

• Limited access to money: ATMs were unavailable and digital payments could not be used.
• Accommodation and logistics: Tourists were trying to extend stays and rearrange plans without firm departure dates.
• Uncertainty about flights and airspace: Travel agencies had no confirmed schedules; inbound/outbound routes remained closed.
• Embassy assistance: Appeals for help were ongoing but described as limited so far.

Tour operators and agencies have been fielding calls from anxious clients while acknowledging they did not have firm dates for departures. Socotra Pioneer Tours was named by travelers as assisting those stranded, including a family tourist Mr. Van Wijngaarden from Poland.

Government and diplomatic actions

• Poland’s foreign ministry confirmed Polish tourists were stuck on Socotra. Maciej Wewior, a Polish foreign ministry spokesperson, posted on X that Polish tourists were stranded and that Emirati flights were suspended until Tuesday due to closed airspace and intensified military operations.
• U.S. Embassy issued an alert on January 2, 2026, confirming the emergency closure of Socotra’s ports.

Possible alternatives and ongoing uncertainty

Tour agencies said they were monitoring alternatives while the Abu Dhabi route remained closed. Options discussed among travel agencies included restarting flights to Saudi Arabia (a possible Jeddah route via Yemenia Airways).

However, despite these discussions, no flights were reported operating in the latest updates from stranded tourists, local authorities, and travel operators. The uncertainty has left visitors weighing how long they can remain on the island and how to secure passage out.

Tourism impact and broader implications

Socotra’s sudden halt affected a diverse mix of nationalities, reflecting the island’s growing appeal for its unique ecology and landscapes. Visitors are drawn by features such as the dragon blood trees and the island’s distinct biodiversity, which support a small but steady tourism trade.

That trade relies heavily on air links from Abu Dhabi, making the suspension particularly disruptive during a peak holiday period. With ports closed under the state of emergency, tourists have been subject to political and security decisions far beyond their control.

Current status (most recent reports)

• The airport remained closed with no regular connections reported by stranded travelers and officials.
• Travelers continued to wait for any route to reopen while seeking assistance from tour operators and embassies.
• The standoff over flights continued into Tuesday, with tourists still on Socotra Island watching for any reopening that could end their days of being grounded far from home.