Getting to Socotra is complicated by the ongoing conflict on mainland Yemen and by the island's general remoteness. As of recent years, Yemenia Airways operates flights between Socotra and Aden, Mukalla, and occasionally Sana'a, but schedules are unreliable and dependent on the security situation. Charter flights have also operated from the UAE, particularly from Abu Dhabi.
Conditions change. Before planning a visit, check current flight availability, travel advisories from your government, and whether the island is receiving independent tourists. Some years Socotra is accessible for small group tours; in others access has been suspended. Most visitors arrive as part of an organised tour arranged through specialist operators familiar with current conditions. There are no ferries from the Yemeni mainland.