Aircraft taking off from QAIA runway. Image Courtesy: Queen Alia International Airport

In a landmark achievement, Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), managed by Airport International Group, has reported a record-breaking year in 2023. For the first time in its history, QAIA saw an influx of 9,201,269 passengers, marking a significant 17.4% increase compared to the figures of 2022. This surge in passenger traffic is complemented by an impressive handling of 77,696 aircraft movements, which is a 13.7% rise from the previous year. Additionally, the airport reported a 9.9% increase in cargo handling, with a total of 67,366 tons processed.

Despite these annual gains, QAIA experienced a slight dip in December 2023. The airport welcomed 643,048 passengers and managed 5,582 aircraft movements during this month, noting decreases of 2.6% and 1.5% respectively, in comparison to December 2022. However, the cargo segment saw a substantial rise, with a 30.4% increase, totaling 6,434 tons.

The remarkable yearly growth can be attributed to Airport International Group’s strategic partnerships with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Jordan Tourism Board. These collaborations have been pivotal in expanding QAIA’s airline and destination networks, promoting local tourism, and enhancing Jordan’s global connectivity. In 2023, QAIA added 11 new and renewed direct routes, elevating its total number of scheduled destinations to 81 — a 6.6% increase from the previous year. The airport’s network expansion has been bolstered by partnerships with new airlines, resulting in 44 passenger and cargo airlines operating through QAIA in 2023.

This performance underscores QAIA’s role as a key player in the regional aviation sector, highlighting its capacity to handle increasing passenger and cargo volumes while contributing to Jordan’s tourism and economic growth.

Airport International Group CEO, Nicolas Deviller, commented, “Despite achieving a record milestone in terms of passenger traffic, the ongoing developments in the Gaza Strip and West Bank over the last three months of 2023 have undoubtedly impacted our statistics. As we embark on a new year, we remain dedicated to collaborating closely with our stakeholders to provide our passengers with greater travel options by further expanding and diversifying our airline and destination networks, while delivering an exceptional airport experience that embraces renowned Jordanian hospitality, quality and feels like home at every touchpoint. We would also like to extend our gratitude to our grantor – the Government of Jordan – official authorities and partners; without their steadfast support, this feat would not have been possible as we continue to give rise to QAIA as Jordan’s prime gateway to the world.”