Amman: Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) stands as a regional benchmark for successful public-private partnerships (PPPs), showcasing how visionary collaboration between the government and the private sector can deliver world-class infrastructure, operational excellence, and sustainable economic value.
According to Jordan News Agency, since Airport International Group was awarded the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concession agreement in 2007 to rehabilitate, expand, and operate QAIA, the airport has transformed into a modern gateway consistently ranking among the best airports in the Middle East. This transformation demonstrates the powerful impact of strategic investment, long-term planning, and shared commitment to national progress.
In 2024, the Government of Jordan approved a seven-year extension to the existing concession agreement until 2039, reinforcing the shared vision for advancing Jordan’s prime gateway to the world. Speaking to Petra, Airport International Group CEO Nicolas Deviller hailed this decision as a defining milestone that followed nearly 50 months of intensive collaboration with multiple stakeholders, highlighting the resilience of the partnership amidst challenges like the global pandemic.
In February 2025, Airport International Group and the Ministry of Transport reaffirmed their commitment through a signed joint declaration outlining shared priorities for QAIA’s development. These priorities include enhancing safety, security, efficiency, and the overall passenger experience, alongside introducing advanced technologies, reducing carbon emissions, and implementing renewable energy solutions.
Several large-scale projects are currently underway to advance QAIA’s infrastructure. These include a capacity expansion plan targeting 18 million passengers annually, the trial phase of nine state-of-the-art security e-gates, a water supply enhancement project, upgraded security checkpoints, and ongoing studies to rehabilitate the southern runway.
Deviller credited the Government of Jordan and the Ministry of Transport for their strategic partnership and expressed special appreciation to the Minister of Transport, H.E. Eng. Wesam Tahtamouni. He emphasized that the concession extension reflects confidence in Airport International Group’s capabilities and the vital role of public-private partnerships in transforming national infrastructure.
In July 2025, QAIA saw the installation of a cutting-edge radioactive material detection system, part of a national initiative led by the Energy and Minerals Regulatory Commission (EMRC) in partnership with the Government of Canada and Airport International Group to strengthen Jordan’s nuclear security.
QAIA’s focus on operational excellence and the passenger experience has earned it multiple international accolades. Most recently, Airports Council International (ACI) World named QAIA the ‘Most Enjoyable Airport in the Middle East’ based on the 2024 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Survey and ‘Best Airport by Size and Region: Middle East’ for the eighth time overall based on the 2023 ASQ Survey. The airport also secured a 4-Star Airport Rating by SKYTRAX in 2024.
QAIA’s contribution to Jordan’s economic development is significant. Since the inauguration of the Terminal Building in 2013, the airport has demonstrated the success of the PPP and BOT models. In 2019, QAIA contributed over JOD 2.5 billion to Jordan’s economy and supported JOD 542 million in government revenues.
QAIA’s impact on employment is equally significant, with nearly 16,500 people employed directly by airport stakeholders, and over 238,000 jobs supported across the wider ecosystem. It also plays a role in boosting tourism and connectivity with expanding airline and destination networks.
Beyond economic contributions, the Airport International Group Foundation invests in community empowerment through initiatives like the Hirfati vocational training center. QAIA is also supporting innovation in the aviation sector via the ‘Airport Innovation Days’ competition by Groupe ADP.
Sustainability remains a core focus for Airport International Group, with projects like the ‘Shams al Mattar Lil-Taqa’ solar farm and the Miyahuna water pipeline aligning QAIA with Jordan’s national environmental goals. Inaugurated in April 2025, the solar farm generates significant clean energy, positioning QAIA as one of the largest solar-powered airports in MENA.
QAIA is committed to inclusivity and accessibility, with facilities such as e-gates and wheelchair-accessible stations. Despite regional tensions, QAIA remains agile, with notable signs of recovery during the first six months of 2025, and is expanding its capacity to meet future demand.
Looking ahead, QAIA aims to expand into key markets in North America and Asia while restoring suspended regional and European routes. Following a strong recovery in early 2025, QAIA continues to provide full maintenance, catering, and cargo services, making it a strategic regional partner.