Queen Alia International Airport Celebrates Major Milestone, Advancing Growth, Sustainability, and Community Development While Serving Over Eight Million Passengers

Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) recently marked a significant achievement in 2024, despite the challenges posed by regional tensions. Airport International Group, the managing entity, celebrated a year of growth, emphasizing progress in operations, customer experience, environmental sustainability, and community development. The airport welcomed a total of 8,798,595 passengers, reflecting a 4.4 percent decrease compared to 2023. Despite the dip in passenger traffic, the airport saw a surge in cargo volume, handling 75,450 tons, an impressive 12 percent increase from the previous year.

Sustainability Efforts and Green Initiatives

A major highlight of 2024 was QAIA’s commitment to sustainability. The airport’s environmental achievements were particularly evident in the advancement of a 4.8 MWac photovoltaic solar farm project. Once completed, this solar initiative will position QAIA as one of the largest solar-powered airports in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The solar farm is expected to meet nearly 25 percent of the airport’s operational needs and reduce carbon emissions by approximately 12,000 tons annually. This move aligns with Jordan’s ambitious environmental goals and sets QAIA on a path to achieving net-zero emissions before 2050.

Expanded Connectivity and Strategic Growth

To further strengthen its position as a regional hub, QAIA introduced new routes in 2024, expanding connectivity to global destinations such as London Stansted, Manchester, Berlin, AlUla, and Moscow. These new direct routes, along with the resumption of key services by both full-service and low-cost carriers, aim to meet the growing demand for international travel while improving access to Jordan for both tourists and business travelers.

The airport’s partnership with Joramco to build a new hangar marks another important step in expanding QAIA’s infrastructure, increasing aircraft maintenance capabilities, and creating 400 new jobs. This investment in both infrastructure and job creation underscores the airport’s broader commitment to enhancing its service offerings while contributing to Jordan’s economic growth.

Accolades and Global Recognition

QAIA’s dedication to excellence in service was recognized globally. The airport was honored with several prestigious awards, including the ‘Best Airport by Size and Region: Middle East’ title for the second consecutive year in the 2023 ACI World Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Survey. Additionally, QAIA earned a 4-Star Airport Rating from SKYTRAX World Airport Audit and maintained its Level 3 accreditation in the ACI World Airport Customer Experience program.

The airport’s operational excellence was also celebrated with the receipt of the Silver Jubilee Medal from King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, a recognition of QAIA’s outstanding contributions to the Kingdom and its community development efforts.

Focus on Innovation and Future Readiness

Looking ahead, QAIA is preparing for further transformation with the adoption of the Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) concept. This initiative, set to be implemented by 2025, will allow the airport to exchange real-time data with airlines and improve turnaround times, resource utilization, fuel consumption, and CO2 emissions. This innovation will not only optimize airport operations but will also enhance airlines’ on-time performance and make the airport more efficient in handling increasing passenger traffic.

In addition, QAIA and its partners are continuing to invest in community development, with the Airport International Group Foundation (AIGF) graduating its fifth cohort of students from the ‘Hirfati’ training center. This initiative equips local youth with essential job-market skills, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and creating a skilled workforce for the future.

Strategic Partnerships and Long-Term Growth

The Government of Jordan further solidified its trust in Airport International Group by granting a seven-year extension of its Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) agreement, ensuring the long-term stability of QAIA. This extension allows the airport to continue its mission of delivering top-tier services while accommodating anticipated passenger and cargo growth.

A strategic partnership between Airport International Group and Miyahuna has also resulted in the installation of an 11-km pipeline to improve the airport’s water network, further enhancing QAIA’s infrastructure to support its growing passenger numbers and operational needs.

A Vision for the Future

As the year progresses, QAIA’s achievements in 2024 have positioned it as a leading airport in the region. Its focus on sustainability, innovation, and community development demonstrates a forward-thinking approach that aligns with global trends in the aviation industry. With its ongoing infrastructure improvements and commitment to providing an exceptional passenger experience, Queen Alia International Airport is poised to continue serving as Jordan’s primary gateway to the world, driving economic growth and enhancing global connectivity.

Impact on the Travel Industry and Global Travelers

The developments at Queen Alia International Airport in 2024 signal a shift toward more sustainable, efficient, and customer-focused airport operations. With its growing network of international routes, world-class services, and environmental initiatives, the airport is set to attract more global travelers while contributing to the expansion of Jordan’s tourism sector. As airports worldwide strive to improve sustainability and connectivity, QAIA’s continued success offers valuable lessons in creating a seamless travel experience for passengers while also investing in long-term infrastructural and environmental improvements.

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