Amman:- On Tuesday 13 December, 2022, Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) welcomed the first Wizz Air UK flight from London Luton Airport - marking the start of three direct flights per week between Amman and London via the low-cost carrier. This step emphasizes the commitment of Airport International Group and the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB) to growing QAIA's airline network in order to provide passengers with varied route options. Wizz Air currently also operates six other routes through QAIA; one to and from Abu Dhabi and five to and from several European destinations.

The inaugural flight was greeted with the customary water arch salute in the presence of representatives from Airport International Group, JTB, Wizz Air and its ground handler Royal Jordanian. 

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities and JTB Chairman, Nayef Al-Fayez, emphasized the importance of launching new direct flights between Jordan’s capital, Amman, and the UK’s capital, London, through Wizz Air UK at a rate of three weekly flights via QAIA. He added, “The inauguration of this route underscores JTB’s efforts to promote the Jordanian tourism product, having already recorded positive results in terms of tourism support and attraction.”

“This new route is of strategic importance to us, presenting a connection to a key tourism market for Jordan through a low-cost carrier and offering yet another affordable travel option for UK tourists to visit the Kingdom. We would like to thank our partners for supporting our goal of expanding and diversifying our airline and route networks, ultimately further cementing QAIA’s position as Jordan’s prime gateway to the world,” commented Airport International Group CEO, Nicolas Claude.

JTB Managing Director, Dr. Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, stated, “We are pleased to be expanding our base of operations as part of our tourism marketing strategy. The introduction of this new route at three flights per week is important for directly supporting the activation of the tourism movement to the Kingdom and increasing its occupancy rates.” He also stressed that this route will enable tourists to travel directly from the UK to Jordan, which is being promoted as a tourist destination for Europeans.

Managing Director of Wizz Air UK, Marion Geoffroy, said, “We are very excited to announce the launch of our new route to Amman, a capital city bursting with life and the gateway to the historic country of Jordan. We are constantly striving to both diversify and expand our network and are pleased to be able to offer our passengers even more exciting and affordable travel opportunities beyond Europe. We look forward to welcoming customers onboard our young, efficient and sustainable aircraft.”

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About Airport International Group

Airport International Group is a Jordanian company comprising local and international investors with proven experience in airport rehabilitation, enhancement, operation and management. In 2007, following a transparent and open international tender, the Government of Jordan awarded Airport International Group a 25-year Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concession agreement to manage the rehabilitation, expansion and operation of Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA); Jordan’s prime gateway to the world.

Since the agreement commenced, QAIA ranked first place for four years in the Airport Service Quality Survey’s ‘Best Airport by Size and Region: Middle East’ category for airports serving 5 to 15 million passengers and was amongst the top two in the ‘Best Airport by Region: Middle East’ category for four consecutive years. On the environmental front, in 2022, QAIA became the first airport in the Middle East and the second in Asia Pacific to reach Level 4+ ‘Transition’ of the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program - valid until the renewal date in 2025.

According to a comprehensive study commissioned by Airport International Group and conducted by International Air Transport Association (IATA) Consulting, in 2019, QAIA supported 238,000 jobs and JOD 2.5 billion (8.9%) in GDP. By 2032, these figures are expected to increase to 278,000 jobs and JOD 3.9 billion in GDP. Underscoring its socioeconomic significance and standing as the main entry point to the Kingdom, QAIA processes over 97% of passengers and 99% of cargo. www.aig.aero

This press release has been distributed by Bidaya Marketing Communications on behalf of Airport International Group.

For more information or assistance, please contact us at:
P.O. Box:  930391, Amman 11193, Jordan
Email: bidayamedia@bidayamarcom.com