Arkia Cancels Dozens of Flights from Aqaba After Jordanian Policy Change, Stranding Hundreds Ahead of Pesach

AQABA, JORDAN (VINnews) – Israeli airline Arkia has canceled dozens of flights scheduled to depart from Jordan’s Aqaba airport due to an immediate policy shift by Jordanian authorities, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded as they prepare for the Passover holiday.

The airline said Jordanian officials refused to approve certain flights that were to be operated using chartered European aircraft. Arkia had planned to run long-haul and European routes from Aqaba as an alternative to Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, where wartime restrictions imposed by the Transportation Ministry limit outbound flights to just 50 passengers each.

“Jordanian authorities are not approving the operation of some flights to destinations in Europe and Bangkok,” Arkia said in a statement. “Following the immediate and unexpected change in policy, and in the absence of real-time regulatory approvals, a number of flights scheduled to depart from Aqaba airport are not approved for operation.”

As a result, the airline was forced to cancel the affected flights from Aqaba until further notice. Some passengers were being rerouted to Taba airport in Egypt, depending on operational feasibility and required approvals. Arkia said buses and representatives were assisting travelers at the Aqaba terminal for at least one flight to Athens that was shifted to Taba.

The disruptions come amid a broader scramble by Israeli carriers to maintain service despite tightened airspace rules linked to the ongoing war. In recent days, Arkia and others shifted many departures to Aqaba and Taba — both located near Israel’s land borders with Jordan and Egypt — where long lines of travelers have formed at the crossings in the lead-up to Passover, which begins Wednesday evening.

Earlier this week, Arkia announced that some long-haul flights to New York, Bangkok and Hanoi would instead depart from Ben Gurion Airport, a move that itself triggered mass cancellations due to the 50-passenger cap.

Arkia said it is working with authorities in Jordan and Egypt to resume operations as quickly as possible and will provide regular updates to affected passengers.

The airline had promoted the Aqaba option in recent days, including flights to European destinations such as Bucharest, Vienna and Tivat, Montenegro, with fares starting at around $599 one-way. Thousands of Israelis have turned to these border airports to bypass restrictions at Ben Gurion.

No immediate comment was available from Jordanian aviation authorities. Arkia emphasized that it continues to prioritize passenger safety while seeking “alternative and creative” solutions under the current constraints.