Having an airport to transport Palestinians from their land and through their sky to any destination they wanted was dream that almost came true twenty years ago. However, it evaporated into thin air the moment the Israeli occupation destroyed Gaza’s airport and banned Palestinian aviation. Nevertheless, the Palestinian Airlines still exists, just far away from Palestine and its sky.

Asma Marzouq - Palestine Economy Portal

Translated by Tamara Barakat

Ramadan Al-Bargouthy, the Head of the Coordination and Follow Up Department at the Palestinian Airlines, told the Palestine Economy Portal that the two planes owned by the Airlines have been rented, alongside with their teams, to African countries since 2013, after Al-Arish International Airport was shut down due to security reasons. This airport was the base for the Palestinian Airlines after the destruction of the airport in Gaza.

He explained that when these two planes operated for the Palestinian Airlines, they used to fly back and forth between the Marka International Airport and Al-Arish International Airport. It is necessary to rent the planes because as long as they do not operate, their maintenance costs will heavily increase. Renting them and the services of their teams brings in money that can cover their expenses.

The issue of the Palestinian Airlines was recently brought to light when Palestine participated in the special session of the General Assembly of the Arab Civil Aviation Commission (ACAC), which addressed issues important to aviation in the Arab region.

Palestine chaired the session despite not having any aviation authority, and the fact that the Palestinian Airlines operates outside of Palestinian land and sky.

Before the second Intifada took place, measures were taken to establish an aviation authority, but the destruction of Gaza’s airport by the Israeli occupation and the ensuing events prevented the implementation of this project.

The Palestinian Airlines is a public company owned by the Palestinian Authority, and registered under the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority. It organizes flights to transfer citizens between the southern governorates in Egypt.

Moreover, Al-Barghouty said that during the Hajj and Umrah season, the Palestinian Airlines organizes flights for Gazan pilgrims to transfer them from Egypt to Saudi Arabia.

The Palestinian Airlines fleet consists of two planes, a Boeing 727-230 Advanced and a Fokker 50.

The company enjoys administrative and financial independence, but it reports to the Palestinian Government, and its Board of Directors is chaired by the Minister of Transportation.

Additionally, the company was established in 1995 by a presidential decree issued by the late President Yasser Arafat. It started operating in 1997, with a series of flights carrying pilgrims to Jeddah.  

(Palestine Economy Portal)