Three of 4 Yemenia Airlines' Aircraft Destroyed, Sana’a Airport Rendered Unusable in Israeli Strike

Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday destroyed three of Yemenia Airways’ four aircraft and rendered Sana’a International Airport unusable, following a retaliatory strike after Houthi rebels fired missiles near Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport.

On May 5, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) deployed 20 fighter jets to drop 50 bombs in a long-range operation, flying over 2,000 kilometers to strike Houthi-linked sites in Yemen, including the airport, the port of Hodeidah, and a concrete factory near Bajil. Israeli military officials confirmed 50 bombs were dropped, supported by reconnaissance and refueling aircraft.

Israel’s military stated these targets were tied to the Iran-backed Houthi movement, formally known as Ansar Allah or the “Youth Movement.” The IDF claimed the port was used for smuggling Iranian weapons and the concrete factory supported tunnel construction and other military activities. “The airport was disabled within 15 minutes,” the IDF said, adding that the operation aimed to weaken the Houthis’ economic and military capabilities.

Yemeni authorities issued an extraordinary NOTAM on May 6, stating that Sana’a airport had been closed “due to the wild damage caused by barbaric Israeli aggressive bombardment.”

Yemenia Airways reported “extensive” damage at the airport, confirming that three aircraft — an Airbus A330-200 (7O-AFE) and two A320s (7O-AFA, 7O-AFC) — were destroyed. Yemenia said it will seek legal compensation. “Yemenia Airways reserves its legal and legitimate right to demand financial and moral compensation… in accordance with international civil aviation laws,” the carrier said.

Estimates place the total damage at around $500 million.

Images on social media showed aircraft engulfed in flames on the Sana’a tarmac. Yemenia noted that while operations from Sana’a have been suspended, it continues to operate limited flights using its remaining A320s based in Aden and Amman.

The Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority in Yemen condemned the attack, calling it a violation of international agreements, including the Chicago Convention. The authority said Sana’a airport had mainly served humanitarian flights to Amman. “This is not the first targeting of Sana’a International Airport,” it stated, adding that previous strikes from the Saudi-led coalition had already damaged the facility.

In response, Yemenia said it will “spare no effort” to return to operations and resume flights despite the setback.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier warned of retaliation following the Houthis’ missile attack near Tel Aviv on May 4. The IDF described its strikes as “targeted,” stating that precautions were taken to “minimize civilian harm.”