A Yemenia Airways Airbus A320 sustained damage to its nose and cockpit windscreen during severe hail on a flight from Aden to Amman. All passengers and crew were reported safe.
AMMAN, JORDAN — WEB DESK A passenger aircraft operated by Yemenia Airways landed safely in Jordan after encountering severe weather and heavy hail during a flight from Yemen, sustaining damage to its nose and cockpit windscreen.
Flight IY-648 departed Aden International Airport for Queen Alia International Airport in Amman on Monday, October 26. During the journey, the Airbus A320 encountered powerful winds and intense hail, which damaged parts of the aircraft’s front section and cockpit glazing.
Despite the difficult weather conditions, the flight crew maintained control of the aircraft and completed a safe landing in Amman. No injuries among passengers or crew members were reported.
Yemenia Airways spokesperson Hatem Al-Shaabi confirmed that everyone aboard was safe. The damaged aircraft was grounded at Amman airport for technical inspection and necessary repairs before returning to service.
The airline also arranged an alternative aircraft for passengers scheduled to travel from Amman to Aden, helping maintain onward travel arrangements while the damaged plane remained out of operation.
The incident highlights the risks severe weather can pose to commercial aviation. Large hailstones can damage an aircraft’s external structure and cockpit windscreen, while strong winds and turbulence can make flight conditions more challenging. Flight crews rely on weather monitoring, operational procedures and their training to manage such situations.
Although the aircraft sustained visible damage, the safe landing prevented the event from resulting in reported injuries. Further technical findings about the extent of the damage and the aircraft’s return to service were not available in the reports reviewed.
The incident occurred on a route connecting Yemen and Jordan, with the aircraft remaining in Amman for inspection and repairs.
