Exploring Aqaba: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

is there an airport in aqaba

Aqaba, Jordan is served by King Hussein International Airport, also informally known as Aqaba Airport. The airport is located just 9.7 kilometers from Aqaba city center and operates both international and internal flights. The airport is very small with basic facilities and few food and drink options. There are two shops, including a duty-free and a Jordanian gift shop. The airport includes buildings for the Ayla Aviation Academy, the Royal Jordanian Air Academy, and the assembly plant for Aero Wings for Industry's light planes.

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King Hussein International Airport

The airport has a single runway with a category 1 instrument landing system. It rarely closes due to its excellent weather conditions, though strong southerly winds can bring sandstorms from Egypt. The airport has a single 2,600 square metre terminal building with one departure gate and one baggage carousel. The terminal is currently being extended, and the airport has a capacity of 1.5 million passengers a year. There are 3,000 aircraft movements annually, a significant number of which are training flights. The largest operator at Aqaba is Royal Jordanian, which offers daily flights from around the world. There are also numerous internal flights between Aqaba and the capital, Amman.

The airport has basic facilities, with a café, a bank, and two shops, including a duty-free. There is a First Class Lounge for those seeking a comfortable space before their flight. The airport is located just 9.7km from Aqaba city centre, a journey of around 15 minutes by car. Private transfers to the city centre and other destinations are available, and several nearby hotels offer shuttle services.

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Royal Jordanian Airlines

Aqaba, Jordan is served by King Hussein International Airport, also informally known as Aqaba Airport. This airport is located in the northern suburb of Aqaba and is the country's second commercial airport, besides Queen Alia International Airport in Amman. The airport in Aqaba is relatively small, with basic facilities, but it still boasts excellent services and caters well to holidaymakers. It operates both international and internal flights, with easy connections to the capital, Amman.

King Hussein International Airport features a single 28,000 sq ft terminal with one departure gate and one baggage carousel. The terminal is currently being expanded to enhance its capacity of 1.5 million passengers per year. The airport also has four check-in desks, two gates, a cargo building, and a cargo apron. In addition, there is a bank, cafeterias, a VIP lounge, duty-free shopping, and gift shops. Notably, the airport lacks dining options, with only a small café serving local dishes and snacks.

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Airport facilities

King Hussein International Airport, also known as Aqaba Airport, is a minor international airport located in the vicinity of a northern suburb of Aqaba, Jordan. The airport is relatively small compared to other international airports, but it still offers excellent facilities for holidaymakers.

The airport has a single 28,000 sq ft (2,600 m2) terminal building with one departure gate, one baggage carousel, and a capacity of 1.5 million passengers per year. The building is currently being extended. The airport has four check-in desks, two gates, a cargo building, and a cargo apron, along with a parallel taxiway. There is one baggage claim belt, 200 short-term parking spaces, a post office, a bank (Arab Bank), cafeterias, a VIP lounge, a First Class Lounge, a duty-free shop, and gift shops. The airport has a café that serves local dishes and snacks, but no restaurants. There are two shops, including a duty-free shop and a Jordanian gift shop.

The airport operates both international and internal flights, with Royal Jordanian Airlines operating flights into Aqaba's airport from across the globe each day. There are also numerous internal flights between Aqaba and the capital city of Amman. The airport is located just 9.7 kilometers from Aqaba city center, and the journey takes just under 15 minutes by car. Private transfers, airport shuttles, taxis, and car rentals are available for transportation to and from the airport.

The airport includes buildings for the Ayla Aviation Academy, the Aero Wings for Industry's assembly plant for light planes, the Jordan Private Jets Services (JPJets)'s private jet terminal, and the Al Baddad International Group's maintenance centre.

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Transport to/from the airport

King Hussein International Airport, also known as Aqaba Airport, is located just 9.7 kilometres from Aqaba city centre. The journey to the city centre takes just under 15 minutes by car.

There are several transport options for getting to and from King Hussein International Airport. Here are some of the most common choices:

  • Private Transfer: A private transfer service is available between the airport and Aqaba City Centre, offering a selection of modern, fully licensed, and air-conditioned vehicles for groups of various sizes. This option provides door-to-door service and is ideal for those who want a comfortable and convenient travel experience.
  • Airport Shuttles: Airport shuttles are available for Ryanair, Norwegian, and Royal Wings flights, offering door-to-door service to and from Aqaba City Centre hotels. These shuttles are typically coordinated with specific airlines and offer excellent value for money, with prices as low as $5 per person.
  • Taxi: Taxis are readily available outside the airport and provide a quick and direct travel option. A typical taxi ride from the airport to Aqaba City Centre costs around $20.
  • Car Rental: Renting a car is a popular choice for visitors who want to explore Jordan independently. Car rental services can be arranged at the airport, and prices typically range from $35 to $40 per day for a new model with air conditioning and insurance.
  • Shuttle Buses: Certain hotels, such as the Movenpick Resort & Residences Aqaba and My Hotel, provide shuttle bus services to and from the airport for their guests. This option offers added convenience and comfort.

It is worth noting that King Hussein International Airport is a relatively small airport with limited facilities. Visitors are advised to dine and purchase any necessary items in the city centre before heading to the airport, as food and shopping options are limited.

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Flight routes

King Hussein International Airport, also known as Aqaba Airport, is a small airport located in Aqaba, Jordan. It is the second-largest airport in Jordan and is located just 9.7 kilometres from Aqaba's city centre, which can be reached in under 15 minutes by car. The airport operates both international and internal flights, with internal flights to Amman taking just under an hour.

Royal Jordanian Airlines is the largest operator at Aqaba Airport, offering direct flights from two cities: Amman and Cairo. Air Cairo also offers direct flights to Aqaba from Cairo, while Turkish Airlines offers direct flights from Istanbul. These are the only three airlines that fly from Aqaba to 36 airports around the world, as of April 2025.

The airport has a single 28,000 sq ft terminal building with one departure gate and one baggage carousel. The terminal is currently being extended to improve capacity, which is currently at 1.5 million passengers a year. The airport also has a cargo terminal and apron, as well as separate buildings for General Aviation and a Royal Pavilion.

For those looking to fly to Aqaba, Google Flights and Kiwi.com offer tools to find cheap flights and track prices for specific travel dates. FlightsFrom.com also provides a list of direct flights from Aqaba, as well as a smart search tool and route map to explore flight destinations.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, there is an airport in Aqaba, Jordan. It is called King Hussein International Airport (Arabic: مطارالملك الحسين الدولي) and its airport codes are AQJ and OJAQ.

The airport is located just 9.7 kilometres from the city centre of Aqaba. The journey takes just under 15 minutes by car.

The airport has basic facilities, including a bank, a post office, cafeterias, a VIP lounge, a duty-free shop, and gift shops. There are limited food and drink options, with only a cafe serving local dishes and snacks.

The three most popular routes from the airport are to Amman, Cairo, and Istanbul.

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