Minister of Transport: Preparations are underway to launch flights from Ataq Airport in Shabwa

Minister of Transport, Dr. Abdul Salam Hamid, said that preparations are underway to launch flights from Ataq Airport after the tender was awarded and the implementing agency began work on it.

This came during his meeting with the leadership of the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Meteorology, headed by the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transport for the Air Transport Sector, Eng. Tariq Abdo, the Chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Meteorology, Captain Saleh bin Nahid, and the Authority’s undersecretaries.

According to Saba News Agency, the Minister discussed the efforts of the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Meteorology in improving the conditions of the liberated airports, organizing air traffic, and overcoming all challenges and difficulties facing its activity.

He reviewed the package of projects and plans included in the Authority’s schedule for the current year, implemented and under implementation, in addition to the projects implemented by the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen at Aden International Airport.

He also reviewed the discussion and evaluation of the level of implementation of purchasing and providing means and equipment from abroad through tenders, as well as the arrangements related to determining the locations of maintenance hangars, ground equipment, and cargo hangars at Aden Airport.

Minister Hamid urged the leadership of the Aviation Authority and Aden Airport to continue following up on the implementation of projects that were not completed, in coordination and cooperation with the Saudi program, especially the landing and take-off runway, and air navigation means.

He explained that efforts are underway by the Ministry to expedite the arrangements for fencing the future Aden Airport, and the preparations underway to inaugurate Ataq Airport, after the tender is awarded and the implementing agency begins work on it.

He directed attention to improving services at Al Rayyan and Socotra airports, within the framework of the Authority’s development and modernization projects included in the Ministry of Transport’s strategic plan, and the government’s directions aimed at rebuilding institutions and improving their services to society.

The Minister of Transport stressed the need for the Aviation Authority to exercise all tasks and powers, as it represents the state's authority in the field of air transport at the level of Yemen.

He noted the strengthening of the Authority's relations with regional and international organizations as it represents the legitimate government in Yemen, which is internationally recognized, in addition to providing facilities to investors in the air transport sector.

He pointed out that the Authority’s powers include granting licenses to companies and travel agencies and supervising their activities, based on the laws and regulations governing air transport activity, and adopting security and safety standards in light of international legislation and standards.

For his part, the Chairman of the General Authority of Civil Aviation and Meteorology addressed the progress of the work aspects and the projects completed and under implementation carried out by the Authority, and its efforts in the professional, technical and administrative fields.

He reviewed the projects and programmes implemented according to its plans, and the difficulties it faces that require everyone to work as one team to address them in accordance with the laws and regulations in force and regulating the work of the Authority.

This meeting comes one day after the Authority's movements in Sana'a, which is under the control of the Houthi militia, which announced the opening of an aircraft maintenance workshop at Sana'a Airport for the first time in decades, and the opening of new flights from Sana'a Airport.