Hitherto, El-Al and Royal Jordanian planes taking off from Israel for Jordan had to head in a westerly direction out to sea, returning from there to the destination via the international flight route.
Commencing December 1, flights between Israel and Jordan will operate along the shortest flight route between the two states, and flight time will be reduced from 45 minutes to 15 minutes only.
Hitherto, El-Al and Royal Jordanian planes taking off from Israel for Jordan had to head in a westerly direction out to sea, returning from there to the destination via the international flight route. Initially, only flights from Israel to Jordan will follow the new route, since the Jordanians have still not finished setting up the direct telephone line between the air control centres of Israel and Jordan. Only once the direct line is in place will planes heading to Israel from Jordan be able to use the short 15-minute route.
Commencing December 19, El-Al will operate two weekly flights from the Haifa international airport to Jordan. Parallel with these flights, Royal Jordanian will be able to operate two additional regular flights, from Jordan to Haifa.
The aviation agreement between Israel and Jordan enables the national airlines to make up to eight regular weekly flights and each airline may fly up to 550 passengers weekly, in either direction.