12.02.2021 - 16:40 UTC
An A320-200 operated by Saudi Arabia's low-cost carrier flyadeal (F3, Jeddah) was damaged in a drone attack conducted by Yemen's Houthi rebels at Abha airport in southern Saudi Arabia, the Associated Press has reported.
Photos indicate HZ-FAB (msn 7867) suffered extensive damage to the rear part of its fuselage. It is understood that the aircraft was attacked during a turnaround with no passengers on board. Reportedly, there were no victims of the attack.
Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows that the 3.5-year-old Airbus narrowbody, one of eleven A320s operated by flyadeal (which also operates a single A320-200N), arrived at Abha from Dammam. Given the extent of the damage, it has been forced to remain at the airport. The aircraft is owned by DAE Capital, the ch-aviation fleets ownership module shows.
Abha is located just over 100 kilometres from the Yemeni border. Iran-backed Houthi rebels control the northern part of the war-torn country and have claimed responsibility for the attack. The airport has been frequently targeted by the Houthis during the...