Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), Jordan’s primary international gateway, welcomed over 670,000 passengers in October 2024, demonstrating continued resilience in the face of global aviation trends. While this signifies strong monthly performance, the airport’s overall passenger numbers for 2024 reflect a slight downturn. Compared to 2023, QAIA experienced a 6.6% decrease in passenger traffic, totaling 7,465,802 passengers. Aircraft movements (ACM) also mirrored this trend, falling by 6.9% to 62,111. However, this dip is offset by a significant surge in cargo operations, showcasing a remarkable 16.1% increase, reaching a total of 63,774 tons.
This performance underscores the dynamic nature of the aviation sector and QAIA’s ability to adapt. The airport’s success is significantly attributed to its management, Airport International Group, a consortium comprising Groupe ADP (51%), Meridiam Eastern Europe Investments (32%), and Mena Airport Holding Ltd. (4.75%). This blend of local and international expertise has driven significant improvements since the group was awarded a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concession by the Jordanian government in 2007. The concession granted the group responsibility for rehabilitating, expanding, and managing QAIA, a task they’ve accomplished with considerable success.
The commitment to excellence is evident in QAIA’s impressive track record of accolades. For eight years, it consistently held the top position in the Airport Service Quality Survey’s ‘Best Airport by Size and Region: Middle East’ category (for airports handling 5 to 15 million passengers annually). Furthermore, it ranked among the top two in the ‘Best Airport by Region: Middle East’ category for four consecutive years, a testament to its commitment to passenger experience. This dedication extends beyond passenger comfort to encompass environmental responsibility. In 2022, QAIA achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first airport in the Middle East and the second in the Asia-Pacific region to receive Level 4+ ‘Transition’ certification through the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program, a recognition valid until 2025. Adding to its impressive list of accomplishments, QAIA secured a 4-Star Airport Rating in its inaugural participation in the SKYTRAX World Airport Audit in 2024, a further validation of its exceptional service and staff performance. QAIA’s ongoing success highlights its crucial role as Jordan’s leading international airport, and the continuing investment in infrastructure, operational efficiency, and sustainability positions it strongly for future growth.
