Yemenia, officially Yemen Airways, is the national flag carrier of Yemen, founded in 1961 and jointly owned by the Yemeni government and Saudi Arabian interests. The airline operates scheduled international services from its primary hub at Sana'a International Airport, connecting Yemen to destinations across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. The airline has faced significant operational challenges due to the ongoing Yemeni civil war that began in 2014–2015, which severely disrupted domestic and international operations. Sana'a International Airport was closed to commercial traffic for extended periods, forcing Yemenia to rely heavily on Aden and Seiyun airports as alternative gateways. Yemenia suffered a major tragedy in 2009 when Flight IY626, an Airbus A310, crashed into the Indian Ocean near the Comoros Islands, killing 152 of the 153 people on board. Despite ongoing instability, Yemenia has continued to operate a reduced network of international routes, providing a vital link for Yemeni nationals abroad.