As Sanaa Airport under Israeli attack: A golden opportunity for the Yemeni government to benefit from millions of dollars
In an unprecedented move, Israeli Air Force fighter jets launched airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport, targeting air radar devices in the control tower and around the departure lounge as well. This came in conjunction with a speech by Houthi militia leader Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi, who is residing in Harf Sufyan district of Amran province.
Houthis receive up to 3.5 million dollars monthly in fees for allowing international airlines to pass through Yemeni airspace. The amount has exceeded 300 million dollars since 2016, despite the former head's decision to transfer the General Authority for Civil Aviation and Meteorology to Aden. A high-level source said.
Houthis still control the specialized air transport management responsible for issuing permits for the passage of international airlines through Yemeni airspace, and declaring the landing and take-off of aircraft within the Yemeni region, at the center of the region that provides the air traffic control service "Area Control Center - ACC. The source added.
The militia uses the funds it receives from civil aircraft transit fees to the Yemeni airspace region to cover the military expenses of the Houthis under the heading of "Allah's Way Bank", which oversees the purchase of weapons and espionage devices, with the latest shipments being seized at Aden's free zone customs.
With the destruction of the control tower room at Sanaa International Airport, the Yemeni government should urgently communicate with the Area Control Center (ACC) or the Air Traffic Control Center (ARTCC) affiliated with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
This time is considered an "opportunity" for the Yemeni government to take a bold step in quickly transferring Yemen's airspace from Sanaa ACC to Aden ACC, in order to reduce the control of the Houthis over air traffic control and economically besiege them by preventing them from receiving $42 million annually, and benefiting from it by improving the country's economic situation.
The Houthi militia used the ACC control panel at Sanaa International Airport to gather information and plan the attack on the Yemeni Airlines plane - Marib - which was carrying the Yemeni government upon its arrival at Aden International Airport at 01:25 PM on Wednesday, December 20, 2020.
The ACC navigation system can display information on civilian aircraft belonging to all international companies as soon as they enter Yemeni airspace and until they leave it. Therefore, the Houthis sent information about the Yemeni aircraft to their military wing the moment it landed at Aden International Airport and the moment the passenger door opened.
With the continued violations by the Houthis and the increasing economic challenges facing the Yemeni government, the importance of this moment is highlighted as a golden opportunity for the Yemeni government to benefit from millions of dollars by contributing to replenishing the state treasury and the Yemeni central bank with foreign currency, thus alleviating the economic crisis plaguing the country.
The question that arises is: Will the Yemeni government be able to seize this opportunity to regain control of the skies and reduce the dominance of the Houthis?