logo
West Bank ‘plane chalet' helps aviation dreams scale newer heights

West Bank ‘plane chalet' helps aviation dreams scale newer heights

Arab News4 days ago
QAFFIN, West Bank: A guest house in the shape of a plane would stand out anywhere in the world, but in the occupied West Bank, devoid of airports, Minwer Harsha's creation helps aviation dreams take flight.
'So many kids want to come,' said 27-year-old Harsha, who built the guest house in the hills of the northern West Bank, within view of the separation barrier between Israel and the Palestinian territory.
'And that's the goal: Since we don't have planes or airports, people come here instead,' he said.
Harsha said he designed the concrete plane himself, with a master bedroom in the cockpit and a children's bedroom in the tail.
The price tag, between 1,000 and 2,000 shekels (about $300-$600) per night, is out of reach for most Palestinians, particularly as unemployment soars due to the war in Gaza.
He has nonetheless been pleased with the reactions to his chalet, having initially faced skepticism.
'I wanted to bring something unique, something new to the area and to Palestine,' Harsha said of the unit, which opened a month ago.
Since its launch, his red and white concrete plane has become a local landmark, featuring in local media and on social networks.
Harsha said he originally wanted to place a Palestinian flag on his chalet and call it the 'Palestinian Queen,' but avoided such signs out of caution.
The guest house is located in the West Bank's Area C, which covers more than 60 percent of the territory and is under full Israeli control.
'I just made it look like a plane. I avoided politics entirely because of the hardships our people are going through,' he said.
'We're a people who are constantly losing things — our land, our rights, our lives.'
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and frequently demolishes homes it says are built without permission in the mostly rural Area C.
Though no airport currently services the Palestinian territories, both the West Bank and Gaza once had their own terminals, in East Jerusalem and the southern Gaza city of Rafah, respectively.
Both were closed during the Second Intifada, the Palestinian uprising of the early 2000s, and what remains of East Jerusalem's airport is now isolated from the rest of the West Bank by Israel's separation barrier.
Despite difficulties and threats of demolition, Harsha believes that Palestinians can find freedom and fulfilment in projects like his.
'I encourage everyone who has land to work on it and invest in it — with creativity and ambition,' he said, flanked by his two brothers who helped him build the unit.
Harsha himself has more plans for his land.
'After this airplane, we'll build a ship next year,' he said.
'It will be something unique and beautiful,' he said, pointing out that while many West Bank Palestinians have seen planes flying overhead, a large number of people from the landlocked territory have never seen a real ship at all.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Saudi Heritage Commission Launches 'Little Explorer' to Inspire Heritage Awareness
Saudi Heritage Commission Launches 'Little Explorer' to Inspire Heritage Awareness

Asharq Al-Awsat

time6 hours ago

  • Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Heritage Commission Launches 'Little Explorer' to Inspire Heritage Awareness

Saudi Arabia's Heritage Commission launched the 'Little Explorer' event on Tuesday in its third stop in the city of Abha as part of its ongoing efforts to connect younger generations with the Kingdom's heritage and introduce them to the elements that shape the national cultural identity. Running until July 26 at Al-Muftaha Village, the event aims to spark curiosity and instill a sense of value for heritage among children and youth through interactive, educational experiences that highlight the importance of preserving archaeological artifacts and promote responsible engagement with cultural heritage, fostering greater national cultural awareness. 'Little Explorer' stands out as one of the commission's notable initiatives, promoting national identity and building a generation that understands and appreciates the significance of heritage. It is tailored to suit the needs of its young audience, combining scientific knowledge with interactive learning in innovative and engaging ways.

Ministry of culture highlights 2024 achievements in historic Jeddah
Ministry of culture highlights 2024 achievements in historic Jeddah

Arab News

timea day ago

  • Arab News

Ministry of culture highlights 2024 achievements in historic Jeddah

JEDDAH: The Saudi Ministry of Culture has unveiled a series of landmark achievements in the revitalization of Historic Jeddah, illustrating continued progress under the directive of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Launched in 2021, the project plays a key role in the national strategy to preserve the Kingdom's heritage and enhance its cultural landscape, aligning with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. In 2024, the ministry successfully restored 27 historic buildings, rehabilitated an additional 10 structures, and supported the stabilization of 39 others, fortifying the district's unique architectural identity. As part of broader adaptive reuse efforts, the first three heritage hotels opened their doors, delivering luxury experiences steeped in authenticity. This is the beginning of an initiative to transform 34 heritage buildings into boutique accommodations that merge cultural heritage with modern hospitality. Important archaeological findings further enriched Jeddah's historical narrative. Excavations at the Othman bin Affan Mosque revealed Ceylonese wooden fragments on mihrab pillars dating back to the 1st century AH (7th century CE). Also, the discovery of a 13th-century pottery shard reaffirmed Jeddah's long-standing status as a pivotal maritime and commercial hub linking the Islamic world to the Far East. In a milestone of urban regeneration, the ministry completed Phase I of the Al-Arbaeen Lagoon waterfront project, which included the removal of obstructive infrastructure to reconnect the sea with the historic Al-Bunt Port. In parallel, 90,000 sq. meters of green space were developed, significantly enhancing the environmental and visual quality of the district. To enhance operational readiness, 110 pieces of equipment were used to service a six-sq. kilometer area. Historic Jeddah is also going through a surge in cultural engagement. The Red Sea International Film Festival was hosted at Culture Square for the first time, attracting local and international audiences. Simultaneously, the ministry inaugurated the teamLab Borderless Jeddah museum, spanning 10,000 sq. meters, and launched a Performing Arts and Cinema Centre, offering immersive experiences that bridge traditional heritage with contemporary expression. A significant step in skills development was marked by the opening of the Royal Institute for Traditional Arts, which promotes local craftsmanship and empowers Saudi youth to participate in cultural restoration. To integrate leisure with heritage, the ministry introduced Irth, a concept store and cafe that blends cultural offerings with a modern hospitality experience. In support of long-term sustainability, the ministry signed six strategic agreements aimed at bolstering investment and enhancing cultural infrastructure. A dedicated digital tourism platform was also launched to provide comprehensive access to landmarks, events, and visitor services in the district. In 2024, more than 140 educational trips were organized, engaging 2,100 students in immersive cultural experiences. To enrich visitor journeys, 500,000 copies of the official visitor map were distributed. These efforts contributed to a record-breaking 5.7 million visitors to Historic Jeddah over the year, including 2.5 million during Ramadan. As part of the Historic Jeddah Master Plan, the Ministry of Culture is committed to restoration, infrastructure enhancement, and improving livability. These endeavors aim to position the district as a global destination for cultural tourism and creative industries, reflecting the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 and celebrating the Kingdom's enduring cultural legacy.

Abu Dhabi Airports sees 13% rise in passenger numbers despite airspace disruptions
Abu Dhabi Airports sees 13% rise in passenger numbers despite airspace disruptions

Arab News

timea day ago

  • Arab News

Abu Dhabi Airports sees 13% rise in passenger numbers despite airspace disruptions

JEDDAH: Abu Dhabi Airports handled more than 15.8 million passengers in the first half of 2025, up 13.1 percent from the previous six months, despite regional airspace disruptions. Zayed International Airport, the UAE's second-largest air base and a key international hub connected to over 120 passenger destinations, played a central role in the surge. It recorded 15.5 million passengers by the end of June — a 13.2 percent year-on-year increase, according to the UAE's official news agency WAM. The government-owned operator showed resilience, maintaining steady growth in both passenger traffic and flight movements despite regional disruptions caused by a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran. The unrest led to airspace closures across the Gulf, including the UAE, resulting in flight suspensions and rerouting. Elena Sorlini, managing director and CEO at Abu Dhabi Airports, said: 'Consistently delivering positive growth for the past 17 quarters is testament to the dedication and collective effort of the entire Abu Dhabi Airports team.' She added: 'It reflects our operational agility and commitment to delivering an exceptional aviation experience and attracting international investors.' This increase in passenger traffic was accompanied by 133,533 total flights across the five airports in the first half of 2025, marking a 9.2 percent rise compared to the same period last year, according to the WAM report. Zayed International Airport recorded 93,858 aircraft movements during the first half, up 11.4 percent from 84,286 flights in the first six months of 2024. Etihad Airways temporarily halted some regional flights amid the tensions. Meanwhile, Wizz Air recently announced plans to exit Abu Dhabi from Sept. 1, citing geopolitical instability and airspace restrictions. Abu Dhabi Airports pushed ahead with network expansion, introducing 16 new destinations and onboarding several new airline partners in the first half of the year. These include China Eastern Airlines' four-times-weekly Shanghai service, which will become daily in September; Air Seychelles' six weekly flights; and Fly Cham's route to Damascus. Indian carrier IndiGo also added new services to Madurai, Bhubaneswar, and Visakhapatnam, making Zayed International its most connected hub in the UAE. Cargo volumes also rose, reaching 344,795 tonnes in the first half of the year, supported by infrastructure upgrades and growing trade flows through the emirate.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store