Yemenia Airways Closes Ibb Office, Lays Off All Staff Amid Unclear Circumstances

A committee dispatched from Sana'a has abruptly closed the Yemenia Airways office in Ibb Governorate, central Yemen, and terminated the employment of all personnel stationed there.

According to a local source in Ibb, the committee initiated the closure immediately upon arrival at the office, located on Taiz Street in Ibb city, by informing employees of their dismissal and instructing them to vacate. This unexpected action has reportedly generated significant discontent among the affected staff and clientele.

The source confirmed that an inventory of the office's contents, including furniture and equipment, is currently underway, alongside the dismantling of internal fixtures in preparation for a complete handover of the premises. The building owner has been summoned to reclaim the facility, signaling a definitive closure of the branch.

The Ibb office of Yemenia Airways previously served as a crucial service point, facilitating flight reservations and ticket issuance for residents of Ibb and neighboring governorates. This closure raises substantial concerns regarding the impact on travel logistics and essential services available to citizens in the region.

Furthermore, the decision exacerbates the already challenging economic and livelihood conditions faced by the newly unemployed staff, given the severe economic strain and limited employment opportunities across most sectors in the country.

As of this report, neither the Houthi authorities nor the central management of Yemenia Airways have issued any official statements detailing the rationale behind the closure or outlining the future provisions for the laid-off employees, leaving questions unanswered regarding the fate of this public service and the consequences for regional air travel services.