Jordan cancels all Arkia flights from Aqaba until further notice — hundreds rerouted via Larnaca and Taba

Israeli airline Arkia cancelled dozens of flights from Aqaba Airport after Jordanian authorities refused to approve operations of some routes using chartered European aircraft. The move stranded hundreds of Israeli passengers travelling ahead of the Passover holiday starting Wednesday evening. Arkia had been routing long-haul flights through Aqaba and Egypt's Taba after Ben Gurion Airport faced wartime airspace restrictions. Arkia said: 'Jordanian authorities are not approving the operation of some flights to destinations in Europe and Bangkok. Following the immediate and unexpected change in policy, a number of flights scheduled to depart from Aqaba airport are not approved for operation.' The airline moved some long-haul routes back to Ben Gurion or Taba. The refusal signals Jordan applying indirect pressure on Israel amid the Iran war — Jordan has maintained formal peace with Israel but faces domestic pressure to distance itself from Israeli actions.