Latest news with #HaithamMisto
Zawya
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Jordanian airspace remains safe amid regional tensions — CARC
AMMAN — Despite rising regional tensions, Jordan's airspace remains safe and operational for civil aviation, thanks to continuous risk assessments and coordinated response strategies, according to the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC). Speaking at a media briefing organised by the Ministry of Government Communication, CARC Chairman Captain Haitham Misto affirmed that 'there is no compromise on the security and safety of Jordanian airspace'. Misto explained that Jordan manages its airspace using a comprehensive risk assessment strategy grounded in civil-military coordination, real-time regional collaboration, and strict adherence to national and international aviation safety standards. He also noted that decisions to close the airspace have been temporary, tactical, and based on identified short-term threats. Misto said that Jordan is currently connected to 85 international airports, with 48 airlines operating flights to and from the Kingdom, adding that passenger traffic through Queen Alia International Airport in 2024 has reached around 8.9 million. Misto also discussed aviation statistics during the ongoing crisis, highlighting changes in passenger numbers, overflights, flight frequency, and cargo volume. The number of passengers dropped from 27,397 per day before the crisis to 18,622, while daily overflights decreased from 285 to 192 aircraft, Misto said, noting that the number of daily flights fell from 237 to 141, and the volume of air cargo declined from 124 tonnes to 74 tonnes per day. He highlighted that the 'professionalism and expertise' involved in managing the airspace, backed by internal and external coordination with relevant authorities, have ensured its ongoing operational status and reaffirmed Jordan's position as a secure destination for aviation. Misto noted that risk level assessments are conducted with high precision, facilitated by civil-military coordination and regional collaboration with international regulatory counterparts, in line with global aviation requirements to exchange information critical to the uninterrupted flow of regional air traffic. He noted that the Jordanian airspace is managed using a methodology grounded in continuous threat evaluation and adherence to international and national aviation safety standards across all flight operations, including takeoff, landing, and aircraft movement. Decisions to close Jordanian airspace, he added, have been temporary and tactical, made only in response to identified short-term risks. Misto added that once a threat is clearly assessed, CARC deploys the necessary tools and mechanisms to mitigate it, which may include partial or full airspace closure depending on the severity. Identifying threats is integral to this mitigation strategy, Misto said, noting that CARC operates a 24/7 risk monitoring system to gather intelligence on activities that could elevate threat levels, with the goal of maintaining safe and continuous air traffic. He stressed that CARC's assessment strategy prioritises two key areas: air traffic to and from Jordan, and overflight operations, noting that the commission's proactive approach involves pre-emptive risk mitigation procedures such as civil-military coordination, regional cooperation, and aircraft fuel load adjustments to account for potential rerouting. Should risk levels escalate, CARC implements additional safety measures, including halting aircraft departures from Jordanian airports, rerouting flights through safer corridors, diverting inbound aircraft to nearby alternate airports, and enforcing partial or full closure of airspace, as necessary. In response to journalists' inquiries, Misto said that financial losses resulting from the crisis have not yet been assessed, noting that several Arab carriers resumed flights to Jordan as of Monday, reflecting growing confidence in the safety of Jordanian airspace. He pointed out that two low-cost airlines have decided to suspend operations to and from Jordan and the region until September, as part of broader precautionary measures. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
24-06-2025
- Zawya
Jordan: Airspace remains open, flights operating normally
AMMAN — Jordanian airspace remains open and civil aviation operations are proceeding as normal, Chief Commissioner of the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC) Haitham Misto said on Monday. Misto said that authorities were closely monitoring developments and will take appropriate measures based on their assessment of any potential risks to air traffic, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) also confirmed on Monday that its flights were operating as scheduled to destinations where airspace remains open. The airline noted that several flights have been cancelled due to airspace closures imposed by several countries in the region and urged passengers to check the status of their flights and stay updated through its website and mobile app. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Roya News
24-06-2025
- Business
- Roya News
Aviation authorities: Escalation affects whole region, not just Jordan
During a press conference held on Tuesday, Captain Haitham Misto, President of the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC), emphasized that Jordan's aviation sector plays a vital role in supporting tourism, the economy, and trade. He stressed the importance of relying on official and accredited sources for information related to air traffic. Misto clarified that the CARC is the official body authorized to sign air agreements between Jordan and other countries on behalf of the government. He noted that prior to recent regional events, the number of aircraft crossing Jordanian airspace reached approximately 285 per day. He added that the latest developments in the region have not only impacted Jordan but the entire area, affirming that significant efforts have been made by all parties to ensure continued high-efficiency operations. The CARC chief also explained that the number of daily passengers traveling through Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) ranged between 26,000 and 27,000 before the escalation, but has since dropped to around 18,000 due to the unfolding events. Misto pointed out that Jordan's airspace is not completely closed; rather, it is temporarily suspended in some instances for about an hour to an hour and a half as a precaution to ensure the safety of aviation and passengers.
Zawya
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Jordan's airspace managed through continuous risk assessment — CARC
AMMAN — The Jordanian airspace is managed through a methodology based on continuous risk assessment, ensuring that takeoff, landing, and over flight operations are conducted in accordance with international and national aviation safety standards, Chief Commissioner of the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC) Haitham Misto said on Sunday. Misto stressed that identifying risks is a fundamental part of mitigating them, noting the importance of continuously receiving information on activities that could heighten threat levels, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. He explained that such procedures allow for a comprehensive assessment and the use of appropriate tools and mechanisms to neutralise the risk, including the partial or full closure of Jordanian airspace if necessary. Jordan temporarily closed its airspace multiple times since Friday amid heightened regional tensions following the Israeli attack on Iran. The closures came as part of a precautionary response to ensure the safety of civil aviation. The move was part of Jordan's broader crisis management strategy and highlighted the Kingdom's readiness to respond swiftly to developments that could compromise aviation safety. Misto highlighted CARC's commitment to civil-military coordination, describing it as an international requirement for all countries. The commission coordinates regionally with its counterparts to exchange critical information that facilitates smooth air traffic flow in the region, the chief commissioner pointed out. He noted that the current procedures contribute to keeping the skies open, supporting the movement of approximately 16,000 passengers, arriving and departing, on a daily basis. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Roya News
22-06-2025
- Roya News
"Jordan's airspace briefly closed twice Sunday, no threat to safety," says official
Jordan's airspace experienced two brief closures on Sunday morning due to increased aerial activity in the region, according to Captain Haitham Misto, Chief Commissioner of the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission (CARC), in a statement to Roya. One of the closures lasted just 11 minutes before flight operations resumed as normal. Misto emphasized that air traffic in Jordanian skies is managed through a precise methodology based on continuous risk assessment to ensure the highest levels of aviation safety, in full coordination with military and security authorities. "We monitor the airspace around the clock. When any activity poses a threat to aviation safety, an appropriate decision is made to partially or fully close the airspace temporarily," he said. On Saturday, more than 400 civilian aircraft passed through Jordan's airspace, including inbound, outbound, and overflying flights. The daily number of travelers is estimated at around 16,000. Misto added that the commission maintains close civil-military coordination in line with international standards and cooperates regionally with counterpart agencies to ensure smooth air traffic and keep Jordan's skies safe and open to air navigation. He concluded by stressing that 'aviation safety is a top priority, and we have effective tools to make timely decisions to protect our airspace, citizens, and travelers.'
