The Yemeni government announced that a missile struck the runway at Aden International Airport just minutes before a scheduled flight from Cairo was due to land. The impact forced the aircraft to abort its landing approach and prompted an immediate shutdown of runway operations.
Airport officials said the damage to the runway was sufficient to halt all take‑offs and landings while safety crews assessed the site. The Cairo‑bound flight was diverted to an alternate airport, and airlines were instructed to suspend further arrivals and departures at Aden until the runway could be cleared and inspected.
Aden’s airport serves as a vital gateway for both domestic and international travel in southern Yemen, a region that has seen repeated disruptions due to the ongoing conflict that began in 2014. Missile attacks on transport infrastructure have become a recurring threat, affecting the movement of people and aid.
The government did not provide details on the origin of the missile, but it reiterated its commitment to restoring full airport operations as quickly as possible. Security forces were deployed around the airport to secure the area and prevent further incidents.
Travelers and humanitarian organizations have been urged to monitor updates from airline operators and the Yemeni civil aviation authority, as the incident underscores the fragile security situation that continues to impact Yemen’s air travel network.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>
