Jordan journey: Is it secure to journey proper now, and what are your rights in case you have a visit booked?

After the influence of renewed Hamas assaults in southern Israel swiftly escalated and culminated in conflict, issues over the protection of journey to Israel and international locations within the surrounding area haven risen.

Jordan, a well-liked winter solar vacation spot for vacationers, shares its northern border with each Israel and Syria, and travellers with journeys booked could also be questioning the knowledge of holidaying there amid the battle.

Right here’s the most recent journey recommendation for Jordan, plus all the important thing questions and solutions.

What does the International Workplace say?

On Tuesday the International Workplace (FCDO) strengthened its stance on journey to Jordan updating its steering to learn: “The FCDO advises in opposition to all however important journey to inside 3km of Jordan’s border with Syria.”

Crossings from Jordan to Israel can also be closed at brief discover on account of the battle in southern Israel near the border with Gaza.

The International Workplace says the scenario in Syria is “fragile” and “safety threats within the type of instability or terrorist exercise may come up with little or no discover”, advising in opposition to all journey to the nation.

What do the Jordan authorities say?

The Jordan Tourism Board stated in an announcement: “In mild of the current developments in Gaza, we wish to emphasise that Jordan continues to be a secure and welcoming vacation spot for vacationers from world wide.

“Our dedication to making sure the protection and wellbeing of all guests stays unwavering.

“We wish to reassure everybody that Jordan’s borders are open to vacationers, and we’re desirous to share our extraordinary experiences with the world.

“We perceive that tensions world wide can increase issues, however we imagine within the energy of journey to foster understanding and construct bridges between nations.

“As all the time, the Jordan Tourism Board is right here to help and help vacationers in benefiting from their go to.”

Jordan’s deputy Prime Minister and minister of international affairs, Ayman Al-Safadi, careworn the necessity to “cease the harmful escalation in Gaza and its environment” and highlighted the continuing Jordanian effort to launch “fast worldwide motion to cease the escalation, the need of defending civilians and respecting worldwide humanitarian legal guidelines.”

Al-Safadi said that the necessity to defend civilians, whose killings are “condemned by worldwide legal guidelines”, fuelled Jordanian efforts to cease the escalation and finish the conflict on Gaza, with a view to “keep away from their repercussions on your entire area”.

Are Jordan flights persevering with?

Sure. Queen Alia Worldwide Airport, south of Amman stays operational – as does King Hussein Worldwide Airport in Aqaba, Jordan’s southernmost level.

The primary airways that fly from the UK to Jordan embody British Airways, easyJet, Tui, Royal Jordanian and Wizz Air out of London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London Luton.

In 2021, Jordan and Israel reached a historic settlement to open up the Jordan-Israel air hall and permit flights that beforehand flew round Israel to cross over into every nation’s airspace, slicing flight instances from the west.

A world aviation group, OpsGroup warns: “Classes discovered relating to civil operations in battle zones over the past 9 years since MH17 should be utilized. The danger of a passenger plane changing into a casualty of this conflict is excessive.”

What if I’ve booked a package deal vacation to Jordan?

Travellers who’ve booked package deal holidays to Jordan’s new “no go” zone as suggested by the FCDO can cancel with out penalty for a full refund, though the principle vacationer spots are a good distance from right here anyway.

Outdoors of the 3km radius between Jordan’s northern border and Syria, the circumstances for cancelling your journey will likely be dependent in your vacation supplier, so it’s finest to contact them for those who’re trying to postpone. There is no such thing as a obligation for firms to refund you if you wish to cancel and also you will be unable to say on journey insurance coverage attributable to security issues except FCDO recommendation modifications.