Skip to main content

Jordan resuming domestic flights out of largest airport

Jordan is planning to resume domestic flights and international flights next month.
A sign marks directions to the check-in for Royal Jordanian Airlines on March 21, 2017 at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. 
Passengers traveling to the United States from 10 airports in eight Muslim-majority countries will be prohibited from bringing laptops, tablets and other portable electronic devices on board with them when they fly. The nine airlines affected by the US ban are Royal Jordanian, EgyptAir, Turkish Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Qatar A

Jordan’s flag carrier airline is resuming weekly domestic flights as the country gears up to also allow international travel following a monthslong grounding of planes. 

Airports including Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, the country’s largest, closed to commercial traffic in mid-March. From today, Royal Jordanian Airlines will run flights between the capital and King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba three times a week. 

The government announced last week that the Amman airport will resume international flights in the first or second week of August. Travelers from countries deemed “low risk” will be allowed to board, provided they have proof of a negative coronavirus test 72 hours prior to their departure and also test negative upon arrival in Jordan. 

The Hashemite Kingdom has so far designated 22 countries as low risk, including Canada, China, Germany and Taiwan. Under the new regulations, travelers who lie about their test results risk a fine of 10,000 Jordanian dinars ($14,100).  

Minister of Transport Khalid Saif hailed the resumption of travel, but warned Jordanians to proceed with caution.    

“Though resuming air travel is important, the citizens’ safety is more important. The reopening of the airport does not imply that the situation is now back to normal,” he said, as reported by The Jordan Times

Jordan, a nation of 10 million people, has recorded just 1,120 coronavirus cases and 11 deaths.  

The country has weathered the crisis better than its neighbors thanks to the Jordanian government’s swift reaction in mid-March, which included imposing a nationwide lockdown and state of emergency. Earlier this month, King Abdullah said that having brought the virus “under control,” Jordan would “come out stronger compared to other countries in the region."

The government began to relax restrictions in late April and by early June, a majority of businesses had reopened. Still, many Jordanians are worried over the potential economic fallout of more than 40 days of shutdown.

Join hundreds of Middle East professionals with Al-Monitor PRO.

Business and policy professionals use PRO to monitor the regional economy and improve their reports, memos and presentations. Try it for free and cancel anytime.

Already a Member? Sign in

Free

The Middle East's Best Newsletters

Join over 50,000 readers who access our journalists dedicated newsletters, covering the top political, security, business and tech issues across the region each week.
Delivered straight to your inbox.

Free

What's included:
Our Expertise

Free newsletters available:

  • The Takeaway & Week in Review
  • Middle East Minute (AM)
  • Daily Briefing (PM)
  • Business & Tech Briefing
  • Security Briefing
  • Gulf Briefing
  • Israel Briefing
  • Palestine Briefing
  • Turkey Briefing
  • Iraq Briefing
Expert

Premium Membership

Join the Middle East's most notable experts for premium memos, trend reports, live video Q&A, and intimate in-person events, each detailing exclusive insights on business and geopolitical trends shaping the region.

$25.00 / month
billed annually

Become Member Start with 1-week free trial
What's included:
Our Expertise

Memos - premium analytical writing: actionable insights on markets and geopolitics.

Live Video Q&A - Hear from our top journalists and regional experts.

Special Events - Intimate in-person events with business & political VIPs.

Trend Reports - Deep dive analysis on market updates.

We also offer team plans. Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team.

Already a Member? Sign in