Israel and Syria are both located on Jordan’s northern border, which is shared by the Middle Eastern nation of Jordan.
There has been an increase in the number of people who are concerned about the safety of traveling to and from nations in the area bordering Israel, Gaza, and Lebanon as a result of the intensifying crisis in the Middle East and continued military operations in the Red Sea.
The Foreign Office has modified its travel advisory to reflect recent developments, despite the fact that it considers the majority of Jordan to be generally safe to go to, with the exception of the region that is up to three kilometers from Jordan’s northern border with Syria.
The first blow that was dealt to tourists who were traveling to the nation was the cancellation of cruise itineraries to Aqaba, which occurred in October of last year, after tensions had spread into the Red Sea.
Following the interception of ballistic missiles aimed at Israel over Jordan, including over Amman, the Jordanian airspace was briefly closed on Tuesday. This was done in response to the fact that the rockets caused aircraft cancellations and diversions inside Jordan.
Due to the fact that Jordan’s northern border is shared with both Israel and Syria, travelers who already have excursions planned may be considering whether or not to take a vacation there. Jordan is a particularly popular winter sun destination for visitors.
The most recent guidance on traveling for Jordan is included here, along with all of the most important questions and answers.
What is the Statement from the Foreign Office?
Regarding Jordan, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO) has issued the following warning as of the 2nd of October: “FCDO advises against all travel to within 3km of the border with Syria.”
In its advisory, the organization warns that the situation in Syria is “fragile” and that “security threats in the form of instability or terrorist activity could arise with little or no notice.” As a result, the organization recommends that no travel be completed to Syria.
It is strongly recommended that travelers “be particularly cautious” in regions that are located in close proximity to the borders of Jordan with Iraq and Israel.
“Anti-western sentiment” may have been “heightened” as a result of recent demonstrations in Amman about the Gaza crisis, which took place close to the embassies of the United States and Israel as well as downtown.
Land borders with Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories “may have limitations or close at short notice due to the conflict,” and travelers are advised to “remain vigilant” at all times in order to avoid being targeted by terrorists.
Which events are taking place in the Red Sea?
As a result of the military reaction to the assaults on international ships in the Red Sea that were carried out by Houthi rebels, the Foreign Office has said that travel advice for Jordan may be subject to change at short notice.
Aqaba, the only seaport in Jordan, is located on the Gulf of Aqaba, which is the most southern point of the Red Sea. Due to the situation in the Red Sea and the turmoil in the surrounding area, cruise vacations that were scheduled to stop in Jordan were either rescheduled or canceled in January.
The next cruise ship that is anticipated to make a stop in Aqaba is scheduled to arrive on October 16, 2025, as stated by cruisetimetables.com. It is anticipated that the German cruise company operated by Tui will make the stop as part of a journey that would take them from Antalya in Turkey to Dubai.
And what do the authorities in Jordan have to say?
“In light of the recent developments in Gaza, we want to emphasize that Jordan remains to be a safe and welcoming place for tourists traveling from all over the world,” the Jordan Tourism Board stated in a statement that was released earlier.
Maintaining our unshakable dedication to protecting the health and safety of each and every guest is a priority for us. We would want to reassure everyone that Jordan’s borders are open to visitors, and we are happy to share our amazing experiences with the rest of the globe.
We are aware that tensions in different parts of the globe might give rise to anxieties; yet, we are firm believers in the role that travel can play in fostering understanding and constructing bridges between countries.
Additionally, the Jordan The tourism industry Board is always available to provide assistance and support to travelers so that they may make the most of their trip.
Do flights to Jordan continue to operate?
A temporary closure of the Jordanian airspace occurred on October 1 at eight o’clock local time, which led to the cancellation of flights and the redirection of some flights.
“The security situation could change suddenly as a result of recent developments in Israel, Lebanon, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip,” the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Organization (FCDO) said.
A number of ballistic missiles that were aimed toward Israel were shot down over Jordan on October 1st, including one that was shot down over Amman. It is possible that this will result in bits or debris falling. It is recommended that you remain indoors and away from windows. As soon as you come across any shards or debris from a projectile, you should immediately walk away from them and get in touch with the authorities in your area.
A historic agreement was struck between Jordan and Israel in 2021 to open up the Jordan-Israel air corridor. This would enable planes that had previously flown around Israel to pass over into the airspace of either nation, hence reducing the amount of time it took for flights to arrive from the West.
Since the airspace was restored, Queen Alia International Airport, which is located south of Amman, has continued to operate, despite the fact that flights to Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, have been canceled. Normal operations are being carried out by Royal Jordanian, the home airline, just as they are in Beirut.
Even though it is Jordan’s southernmost point, King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, which is a leading leisure airport, has relatively few flights, the most of which are operated by Royal Jordanian from Amman.
Due to the worsening situation in the area, the majority of airlines in the United Kingdom have decided to stop all flights to and from Israel and Jordan simultaneously.
British Airways, easyJet, Tui, and Wizz Air are the primary airlines that provide flights from the United Kingdom to Jordan. These airlines use London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and London Luton as their departure points. Additionally, Royal Jordanian has descended from London Stansted and Manchester to arrive in Amman since the 6th of March.
What should I do if I have already booked a vacation package to Jordan?
It is possible for travelers who have booked package vacations to Jordan’s “no go” zone can cancel their reservations without incurring any penalties and get a full refund. However, the most popular tourist destinations, including as Amman, Petra, and Wadi Rum, are located a considerable distance away from this location.
It is advised to get in touch with your vacation provider if you are interested in postponing your trip if you are located outside of the three-kilometer radius that surrounds the border between Syria and Jordan. The circumstances for canceling your trip will be determined by your vacation provider. There is no requirement for firms to refund reservations if you wish to cancel, and until the advice of the FCDO changes, you will not be able to make a claim on your travel insurance owing to safety concerns.