Jordan's Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) registered a 5.5 per cent increase in passenger numbers over the first nine months, welcoming over 6.5 million travellers.

From the start of the year until the end of September, the airport handled a total of 6,542,539 passengers as well as witnessed 59,088 aircraft movements (ACM), which is a 2.0 per cent rise. Handled cargo, however, recorded a 3.7 per cent drop, coming in at 77,520 tons respectively

During the month of September, 737,804 passengers travelled through QAIA - marking a 6.0 per cent dip as opposed to the same month last year. ACM declined by 4.9 per cent to reach 6,723 and handled cargo decreased by 9.6 per cent to reach 8,524 - against figures from September 2017.

“The slight drop in passengers, aircraft movements and cargo witnessed during the month was anticipated, especially with the the conclusion of the Eid al-Adha holiday, Hajj season and summer vacation. However, with the approach of Christmas break and the year nearing its end, we look forward to promising results, with expats arriving home to spend time with family and friends, and others ceasing the opportunity to travel abroad, once again reconfirming QAIA’s standing as Jordan’s prime gateway to the world,” commented Kjeld Binger, CEO of Airport International Group - the Jordanian company responsible for the expansion and operation of Queen Alia International Airport. - TradeArabia News Service