Issta to operate limited flights from Aqaba amid Ben Gurion restrictions

Israeli travel company Issta says it has been given the green light to operate a limited batch of flights in the coming days to Paphos in Cyprus, and one flight to Athens in Greece via Jordan’s Aqaba Airport using aircraft belonging to Bulgarian carrier Electra Airways.

The announcement comes after Israeli carrier Arkia announced earlier today that its flight schedule to destinations in Europe and Bangkok from Aqaba operated by European aircraft had to be canceled due to a sudden change in policy by Jordanian authorities. It is unclear why Issta has permission.

Issta says the approval is for a daily flight starting Monday that will be leaving from Aqaba to Paphos through April 8. On Tuesday, the travel company will operate a one-way flight from Aqaba to Athens.

Issta says it offers flight packages for Israelis that includes facilitation of entry visas to Jordan and transfers from the land border crossing with Jordan to the Aqaba airport.

The use of the Aqaba airport as an alternative hub for Israelis seeking to travel overseas for the upcoming Jewish Passover holiday comes as Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport has been virtually closed for most regular commercial air traffic since the start of war with Iran on February 28.