Jordan has requested that incoming flights carry enough reserve fuel for 45 minutes, which experts consider a precautionary measure in case of an Iranian attack on Israel. The Jordanian authorities issued a notice regarding flight safety for pilots (NOTAM) on Sunday, requesting all airlines to carry reserve fuel "for operational reasons." This notice is in effect until 22:00 GMT tomorrow, Tuesday.
The OpsGroup, a membership-based organization that shares aviation risk information, indicated in a bulletin that this step comes ahead of the expected closure of Jordanian airspace, serving as a warning in the event of an Iranian attack on Israel. OpsGroup founder and CEO, Mark Zee, told Reuters that "(the) Jordanian NOTAM is appropriate because during the air assault on Israel in April, the Kingdom of Jordan was the first country to close its airspace under a NOTAM, ahead of Israel, Iran, or Iraq."
He added, "The purpose of the 45 minutes is to provide enough additional fuel for the aircraft to leave Jordanian airspace and land elsewhere." Tensions have heightened following the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniya and prominent Hezbollah military leader Fouad Shukr. These assassinations raise major concerns about a significant escalation leading to a regional war.
