Netanyahu's Azerbaijan trip scrapped over Turkish airspace ban: Report

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cancelled visit to Azerbaijan resulted from Turkey's refusal to grant airspace access to his official plane, according to Walla news.

The Prime Minister's Office had initially cited regional tensions and scheduling conflicts for the postponement.

Officials reportedly considered an alternate flight path via Greece and Bulgaria but abandoned the plan due to nearly doubled travel time. This mirrors a November 2024 incident when President Isaac Herzog abruptly cancelled his COP29 attendance after Turkey blocked the "Wing of Zion" aircraft.

With most Israel-Azerbaijan routes requiring Turkish, Syrian, Iraqi or Iranian airspace, the diplomatic snub highlights deteriorating Israel-Turkey relations. Azerbaijan remains a key Israeli ally for energy and security cooperation.