Jordan Accuses Zionist Regime of Violating Airspace With New Airport Opening

Date: 22 January 2019 - 21:10

News ID: ۶۲۳۷۱

AMMAN (Dispatches) – The head of Jordan’s Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission Haitham Misto has expressed Amman’s objection against opening the newly constructed Ramon International Airport in its current location near the Red Sea resort of Eilat.
The Times of Israel cites the official as saying that the facility, situated less than 20 kilometers from the key Jordanian port of Aqaba, violates "international standards regarding respect for the sovereignty of airspace and territory of other countries”.
While the kingdom’s media outlets reported that Jordan has complained to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Misto revealed that they had informed the international body about "the kingdom’s strong objection”.
According to him, they called on the aviation watchdog to "take all necessary measures to ensure that the regime complies with international standards”. Jordan, which objected to the construction of the facility since its beginning in 2013, is also said to have informed the occupying regime "that the decision to operate the airport should not be taken unilaterally until all outstanding matters are resolved”.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on Monday, Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the $500 million facility would serve as an emergency alternative to Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion airport.
"The airport will be a focal point of activity, with domestic and international flights. It will give us further strategic capabilities in times of normal activity and when needed, in times of emergency,” he said. "It will give Israel another civilian airfield so that aviation routes will not be harmed."
The airport's website says it will be able to initially handle up to two million passengers per year but will expand to a capacity of 4.2 million by 2030.
The regime and Jordan have maintained diplomatic relations since they signed a peace deal in 1994. However, many Jordanians strongly oppose Amman’s ties with Tel Aviv.
Last month, Jordan’s minister for media affairs and communications and government spokesperson stepped on an Israeli flag painted on the floor of the trade union headquarters in Amman while on her way for a meeting.