Area Code 281 – Aden

Overview of Yemen Area Code 281

Area code 281 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the Aden Governorate in the Republic of Yemen. This code forms part of the national numbering plan under the ITU-T E.164 recommendation, which defines the structure of international telecommunication numbers. Aden, historically a major port city on the Gulf of Aden, serves as the commercial and administrative hub of the region. The area code covers the city of Aden and its surrounding districts, including Crater, Mualla, Tawahi, Khormaksar, and Dar Sad.

Dialing Formats

When dialing a fixed-line number in Aden from within Yemen, subscribers must use the national trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code and the subscriber number. The complete national format is:

• 0 281 XXX XXX (where XXX XXX is the 6-digit local subscriber number)

For international callers, the country code for Yemen is +967. The leading trunk prefix '0' is omitted when dialing from abroad. The international format is:

• +967 281 XXX XXX

For example, to call a fixed line in Aden with subscriber number 123456, a caller in Sana'a would dial 0 281 123456, while a caller from the United States would dial 011 967 281 123456 (using the US exit code 011) or +967 281 123456 from a mobile phone.

Administrative and Geographic Coverage

The 281 code is allocated to the Aden Governorate, which is one of the most densely populated areas in Yemen. The region is a key economic center, hosting the Port of Aden and the Aden International Airport. The area code applies to all fixed-line telephone services within the governorate, including those operated by the state-owned Public Telecommunication Corporation (PTC) and private licensed operators. As of the current numbering plan, there are no overlay codes for Aden; the 281 code is the sole geographic code for the region.

Calling Instructions

For local callers within Yemen, the trunk prefix '0' is always required before the area code when dialing a number outside your local exchange area. Even if you are calling from within Aden, you must still dial the full national number: 0 281 XXX XXX. For international callers, ensure you have the correct exit code for your country, then dial Yemen's country code 967, followed by the area code 281 (without the leading 0) and the subscriber number.

Important Considerations

Due to the ongoing conflict in Yemen, some fixed-line services may be disrupted or rerouted. Mobile networks are widely used, and numbers beginning with 7 (e.g., 73, 77) are mobile prefixes and should not be confused with the 281 geographic code. When dialing from a mobile phone within Yemen, you may need to include the '0' as well, depending on your carrier's settings. Always verify the number with the recipient if you encounter connectivity issues.