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Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) is Jordan's largest airport and is located 30 kilometres south of the country's capital, Amman. QAIA was closed to passenger traffic from March 17, 2020, to September 8, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since reopening, QAIA has seen a steady increase in passenger traffic, with 784,992 passengers recorded in January 2025, reflecting a 12.9% surge compared to the previous year. The airport's recent statistics indicate a recovery and growth in passenger traffic, enhancing its position as Jordan's primary gateway to the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Closure | 17 March 2020 |
| Reason for Closure | COVID-19 pandemic |
| Reopening Date | 8 September 2020 |
| Conditions for Reopening | Strict health and safety regulations |
| Removal of Travel Restrictions | 1 March 2022 |
| Passenger Statistics (October 2024) | 675,209 |
| Passenger Statistics (January 2025) | 784,992 |
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What You'll Learn
- Queen Alia International Airport closed to passenger traffic in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- The airport reopened for commercial flights in September 2020, with strict health protocols
- All travel restrictions were lifted in March 2022
- QAIA is the largest airport in Jordan, named after Queen Alia, who died in a helicopter crash in 1977
- The Airport International Group (AIG) manages QAIA, with a focus on enhancing the passenger experience
Queen Alia International Airport closed to passenger traffic in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Queen Alia International Airport, located in Zizya, 30 kilometres south of Amman, Jordan, closed to passenger traffic in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The airport is the largest in Jordan and one of the busiest in the Middle East. On 14 March 2020, the Jordanian Ministry of Health announced that all flights to and from the country would be suspended from 17 March 2020 until further notice, with the exception of commercial freight traffic.
The closure was part of Jordan's efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, as the number of cases in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region continued to rise. Jordan had one of the lowest rates of infection in the region, with 2,161 infections confirmed as of 3 September 2020. To further control the spread of the virus, the Jordanian government imposed a 24-hour complete curfew in Amman and Zarqa on 4 September 2020.
During the closure, the airport remained operational for cargo traffic and special Royal Jordanian flights that were commissioned to return Jordanian citizens, particularly students, back to the country during the pandemic. The airport reopened for commercial flights on 8 September 2020, but strict health and safety regulations were enforced. It wasn't until 1 March 2022 that all travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic were finally lifted.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Queen Alia International Airport continued to expand and improve its facilities. In 2013, a new terminal was opened, increasing the airport's annual capacity from 3.5 million to 7.5 million passengers. The Airport International Group (AIG), which operates the airport, has also invested in creating a "unique travel experience" to enhance its position as a niche transit hub in the region.
As of January 2025, the airport has shown significant recovery and growth in passenger traffic, registering a 12.9% surge compared to the same month in the previous year. The Airport International Group CEO, Nicolas Deviller, commented on their commitment to elevating the passenger experience and sustaining the airport's position as Jordan's prime gateway to the world.
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The airport reopened for commercial flights in September 2020, with strict health protocols
Queen Alia International Airport, located in Zizya, Jordan, is a bustling hub for travellers, serving as the country's prime gateway to the world. Named after Queen Alia, who tragically perished in a helicopter crash in 1977, the airport holds significant importance in the region.
In March 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jordanian Ministry of Health made an announcement that significantly impacted the airport's operations. All flights to and from Jordan were suspended starting from March 17, 2020, excluding commercial freight traffic. This decision was a necessary precaution to curb the spread of the virus and protect public health.
However, the airport remained closed to passenger traffic for several months, with only select Royal Jordanian flights authorised to repatriate Jordanian citizens, particularly students, stranded abroad during the pandemic. This challenging period highlighted the airport's commitment to its citizens, even amidst restricted operations.
Finally, on September 8, 2020, the airport reopened its doors for commercial flights, marking a significant step towards normalcy. This reopening was conducted under stringent health and safety protocols to ensure the well-being of travellers and staff. The strict measures included various regulations and precautions to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission within the airport.
As the airport resumed operations, it continued to adapt to the evolving landscape of air travel, focusing on elevating the passenger experience. By October 2024, Queen Alia International Airport had served 675,209 passengers, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the previous year. Nonetheless, the airport remained steadfast in its commitment to excellence, continuously fostering partnerships and enhancing its position as a leading transit hub in the region.
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All travel restrictions were lifted in March 2022
Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) in Jordan was closed to passenger traffic on March 17, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The airport did, however, remain open for commercial freight traffic and the occasional repatriation flight for Jordanian citizens.
On September 8, 2020, the airport reopened for commercial flights, but strict health and safety regulations were in place. Two years later, on March 1, 2022, all travel restrictions related to the pandemic were lifted.
QAIA is the largest airport in Jordan and is located 30 kilometres (18 miles) south of the capital, Amman. It is named after Queen Alia, who died in a helicopter crash in 1977. The airport was built in 1983 to accommodate the growing need for air traffic, which the Amman Civil Airport could not handle.
The Airport International Group (AIG), a French company, was awarded a 25-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concession agreement by the Jordanian government in 2007. AIG was tasked with rehabilitating, expanding, and operating the airport, as well as constructing a new terminal to increase annual passenger capacity. The new terminal opened in March 2013, replacing the older two passenger terminals and one cargo terminal. QAIA's unique design, inspired by Bedouin tents, features a roof composed of 127 concrete domes, each weighing up to 600 metric tons.
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QAIA is the largest airport in Jordan, named after Queen Alia, who died in a helicopter crash in 1977
Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) is the largest airport in Jordan. It is located in Zizya, 30 kilometres (18 miles) south of Amman, the capital and largest city of Jordan. The airport is named after Queen Alia, who was the third wife of King Hussein of Jordan. Queen Alia died in a helicopter crash in 1977.
Queen Alia International Airport was built in 1983 in response to the growing airport traffic needs that the Amman Civil Airport could not accommodate. At the time, passenger traffic was increasing at a rate above the international average, recording 25-30% growth per annum. This placed considerable pressure on airport facilities despite continuous expansion and development. The airport is home to the country's flag carrier, Royal Jordanian, and serves as a hub for Jordan Aviation. It is also one of the busiest airports in the Middle East.
The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years. In 2007, the Government of Jordan selected Airport International Group (AIG) through an open tender to operate, rehabilitate and manage QAIA under a 25-year concession agreement. AIG was tasked with constructing a new terminal to expand the airport's annual capacity and introduce a "unique travel experience" to advance QAIA's position as a niche transit hub in the region. The new terminal was opened in March 2013, replacing the airport's older two passenger terminals and one cargo terminal.
The second expansion phase, costing $1 billion, was completed in 2016, raising QAIA's annual passenger traffic capacity to 12 million. This supported Jordan's national tourism strategy to serve as a regional transit hub for leisure and business travel. In 2023, QAIA became the first airport in the Middle East to achieve Level 3 of the Airport Customer Experience Accreditation (ACEA). It also ranked first place in 18 different service and facility categories in the global Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Survey for Q1 2014.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport was closed to passenger traffic from March 2020 to September 2020. However, it reopened for commercial flights in September 2020, with strict health and safety regulations in place. On 1 March 2022, all travel restrictions related to the pandemic were lifted.
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The Airport International Group (AIG) manages QAIA, with a focus on enhancing the passenger experience
Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) in Jordan is managed by the Airport International Group (AIG), which focuses on enhancing the passenger experience. QAIA is the largest and busiest airport in Jordan, serving as a hub for Royal Jordanian and Jordan Aviation.
In 2007, the Government of Jordan selected AIG through an open tender to manage, rehabilitate, and expand QAIA under a 25-year concession agreement. AIG's main responsibility was to construct a new terminal to accommodate the rising passenger traffic, which had increased at a rate above the international average. The new terminal, which opened in March 2013, increased the airport's annual capacity from 3.5 million to 7.5 million passengers.
AIG's commitment to enhancing the passenger experience is evident in QAIA's achievement of Level 3 of the Airport Customer Experience Accreditation (ACEA) in 2023, making it the first airport in the Middle East to attain this recognition. QAIA also ranked first in 18 different service and facility categories in the global Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Survey for Q1 2014.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, QAIA was closed to passenger traffic from March 2020 until September 2020. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, QAIA remained committed to maintaining its position as a welcoming hub of excellence. In January 2025, QAIA welcomed 784,992 passengers, reflecting a 12.9% increase compared to the same month in the previous year.
AIG's CEO, Nicolas Deviller, emphasized their ongoing goal to elevate the passenger experience, stating, "We continue to build on our airline partnerships and destination offerings, ensuring every passenger experiences a journey that feels like home."
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Frequently asked questions
Queen Alia Airport closed on March 17, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Queen Alia Airport reopened for commercial flights on September 8, 2020, with strict health and safety regulations in place. All travel restrictions were lifted on March 1, 2022.
Queen Alia International Airport served 784,992 passengers in January 2025, which was a 12.9% increase compared to the same month in the previous year.
