Aqaba, May 6 (Petra) – The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) signed on Wednesday a cooperation agreement with Royal Jordanian to operate regular direct international flights linking Aqaba with Riyadh and Abu Dhabi, in a move aimed at strengthening air connectivity, stimulating tourism flows and economic activity, and reinforcing the city’s position as a regional destination.
The agreement was signed in the presence of the ASEZA Chief Commissioner, Shadi Majali. Commissioner for Tourism and Youth Affairs Thabet Hassan Nabulsi signed on behalf of the authority, while Chief Commercial Officer Karim Makhlouf signed on behalf of the airline.
Under the agreement, two weekly flights will operate on each route via King Hussein International Airport. The Abu Dhabi service is scheduled to commence on September 18, followed by the Riyadh route on September 24, enhancing access to key tourism markets and supporting inbound visitor traffic.
Nabulsi said the agreement aligns with the ASEZA’s strategy to expand Aqaba’s air transport network and strengthen connectivity with regional and international markets, underscoring its role in advancing tourism growth and stimulating related economic sectors.
He added that the new routes mark a qualitative step in enhancing operational capacity at King Hussein International Airport, noting that the Cairo-Aqaba route continues to operate with two weekly flights as part of the broader air connectivity framework.
Nabulsi also indicated that the ASEZA is assessing the launch of additional routes to European and Russian markets to diversify source markets, increase visitor numbers, mitigate seasonality and support the sustainability of the tourism sector. He highlighted the partnership with Royal Jordanian as a model of institutional integration that enhances Aqaba’s competitiveness as a year-round tourism and investment destination.
For his part, Makhlouf said the launch of the new routes is in line with efforts to revitalize Arab and international tourism to Jordan, describing it as a strategic step toward strengthening Aqaba’s standing as a leading destination in the Kingdom.
He added that through the airline’s tourism platform, exploRJordan, Royal Jordanian aims to attract new visitor segments to Aqaba, noting that the expansion represents the first phase of a broader plan to position the city as a regional leisure hub.
Makhlouf said both parties are planning to introduce additional direct routes from key European markets in the coming period, describing the partnership as the foundation of a sustainable strategy to further develop tourism in Aqaba.
//Petra// AJ
