Netanyahu Cancels Azerbaijan Visit After Turkey Blocks Israeli State Jet from Airspace

Report By Safarti Tarjuman International Desk

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cancelled his scheduled visit to Azerbaijan after Turkey denied overflight permission to Israel’s official state aircraft, the Wing of Zion, according to a report by Walla News.

Originally, the Prime Minister’s Office attributed the cancellation to a “tight political and security schedule.” However, sources revealed the real reason was Ankara’s refusal to allow the aircraft to traverse Turkish airspace.

Israeli officials reportedly explored alternate flight routes, including one through Greece and Bulgaria. However, the extended flight time—nearly double—led to the decision to cancel the trip altogether.

This marks the second reported incident of Turkey disrupting high-level Israeli travel plans. In November 2024, President Isaac Herzog also called off his trip to the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan, officially citing “security concerns.” Media reports later indicated Turkey’s airspace restrictions were again the underlying issue.

Direct flights from Israel to Azerbaijan are limited due to the region’s geopolitical complexities. Most viable routes require passage through Turkish airspace, as alternatives—via Syria, Iraq, or Iran—are not feasible for security reasons.