Jordanian Policy Shift Forces Arkia to Suspend All Flight Operations from Aqaba Airport

Israeli airline Arkia suspends all Aqaba flight operations. Passengers rerouted through Cyprus and Egypt as Jordanian authorities shift aviation policy.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 29, 2026, 7:43 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Times of Israel

A Sudden Halt to Cross Border Aviation

The regional travel landscape faced a significant disruption on Sunday as Jordanian authorities abruptly withdrew approval for Arkia flight operations at Aqaba airport. The Israeli airline, which has been utilizing the Jordanian hub to bypass domestic airspace restrictions, confirmed that the policy shift was unexpected and immediate. This decision has directly impacted hundreds of passengers who were prepared to depart for international destinations, creating a logistical crisis at the terminal as the carrier scrambled to find alternative routes for those already on site.

Rerouting Passengers through Regional Hubs

In response to the grounding of its chartered fleet, Arkia has initiated a multi stage evacuation and rerouting plan to assist stranded travelers. Passengers originally bound for Bangkok are being transferred onto two separate flights operated by Jordan Aviation, which will transport them to Larnaca, Cyprus. From there, they are expected to board connecting flights to Thailand later this evening. The use of a Jordanian carrier for these specific legs suggests a shift in how authorities are permitting commercial traffic to move across the border during the current period of heightened security.

Logistical Shifts to Egyptian Soil

The disruption has also forced a geographic shift in operations toward Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Travelers who were scheduled to fly from Aqaba to Athens are currently being bussed across the land border to Taba airport. Arkia representatives are reportedly stationed at the exit of the Aqaba terminal to coordinate the ground transport. The airline anticipates that the rescheduled flight to the Greek capital will depart from Taba at 5 p.m., provided that the transition through the land border crossing remains fluid despite the high volume of holiday travelers.