Australians are among hundreds of foreign tourists stranded on the remote Yemeni island of Socotra after flights were abruptly cancelled amid escalating political and military tensions in the region.
The shutdown follows renewed fighting on Yemen’s mainland, where clashes have intensified between government-aligned forces, Iran-backed Houthi rebels and rival southern separatist factions supported by the UAE.
While the island itself has largely avoided direct violence, shifting alliances and security concerns prompted Yemeni authorities to declare a state of emergency, closing Socotra’s airport and leaving an estimated 400 to 700 visitors stranded on the archipelago.
One Australian traveller told the ABC the atmosphere on the island had become increasingly tense as tourists competed for limited evacuation seats.
“There are flights restarting from tomorrow, but no one knows who will be on the first one,” the traveller said. “The first flight only has capacity for about 150 people.”
Evacuation flights are expected to operate to Jeddah, with passengers reportedly required to pay US$700 in cash to secure a seat – a challenge for many travellers on the island.
“It’s not a free evacuation,” the Australian said. “Most people don’t carry that kind of cash, so there’s a lot of panic and confusion.”
Despite the disruption, the traveller said there was no immediate danger on Socotra itself, which sits more than 350 kilometres off the coast of Yemen.
“We’ll get out eventually — everyone’s just anxious to be on the first flight.”
The Australian government confirmed it is assisting citizens affected by the situation.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to a small number of Australians currently in Yemen,” a DFAT spokesperson said.
Socotra, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed destination, has become an increasingly popular drawcard for adventure travellers, known for its rare wildlife, dramatic landscapes and distinctive dragon blood trees.
Access to the island is limited, with twice-weekly flights from Abu Dhabi typically serving as the main international gateway.
While keen to leave, the stranded Australian said concern was growing for the local community, which relies heavily on tourism.
“Tourism is basically the only source of jobs here,” he said. “This kind of international coverage could seriously damage the local economy.”
Australia’s current travel advice for Yemen, including Socotra, remains “do not travel” due to the risks of armed conflict, kidnapping and terrorism.
