Photo Credit: Aero Icarus

Sana’a International Airport

The largest and busiest of the country’s five international airports is the hub for national airline Yemenia. The airport is small compared to other regional international air hubs, consisting of one terminal building, though there are plans to expand and refurbish it. There are no direct routes to the US though it is easy for Americans to travel here via Frankfurt, Paris, Cairo, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Amman, or Doha.

There are few facilities at the airport though there is a duty-free shop. Alcohol is not sold here, but all other usual items found at duty-free shops can be purchased. Other facilities found at the airport include a bureau de change and a business lounge. There are also a number of restaurants and cafés on site that serve everything from sit-down western meals to quick Yemeni snacks.

Taxis are readily available and can be found outside the terminal building. It is recommended to use official taxis to avoid any problems. Car rental agents, such as Hertz and Eurocar, have branches at the airport and offer car rental with or without a driver. The 10-mile journey between the airport and the capital city takes around 30 minutes along Highway A1. There is no public transport from the airport.

Aden International Airport

The second-largest airport in Yemen serves the coastal region of the country. Like Sana’a International Airport, it has no direct flights to the US. Still, Americans have the option of flying via Abu Dhabi, Doha, Cairo, Amman, Jeddah, or Dubai.

The small, single terminal airport has a duty-free shop, a handful of eateries, and a currency exchange desk. Little else can be found here in terms of amenities and services. However, there are taxis readily available to take passengers into Aden or to any other destination close by. The airport is just shy of four miles from the city and the journey takes less than 10 minutes. There is no public transportation available here.

Click here to learn some great Yemen Travel Tips