Jordan files complaint with UN over Israel airport
26-07-2015 11:13 PM
Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Jordan has filed a complaint with the United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization over Israel's construction of a new airport at Timna, north of Eilat in the south of Israel.
Jordanian Transportation Minister Lina Shabib announced that the step was being taken after Israel has ignored Jordan's concerns about the project, according to Haaretz.
Shabib said that they opposed the construction of the airport because not only was it in close proximity to the Jordanian resort town of Aqaba, but also because it shares a name with another airport Jordan. The Jordanians believe this could cause communication problems with planes.
“We are pushing for an expedited response to our complaint because we are concerned for our flights, in order to prevent any disruptions to flight schedule and to protect Jordanian air space,” said Shabib.
In June, Israel's security cabinet approved building a fortified fence on its border with Jordan. One of the reasons given for the planned construction, was to help protect the future airport at Timna, which has been billed as a wartime alternative should Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion airport come under rocket attack.
*i24news