Aqaba Expands Air Connectivity with the Gulf: Direct Flights to Riyadh and Abu Dhabi Target New Tourism Markets

An agreement between the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority and Royal Jordanian provides for two weekly flights to each destination, as the city seeks to reduce tourism seasonality and improve access to the Red Sea, Petra and Wadi Rum.

Aqaba is working to expand its air connectivity with Arab markets as part of a strategy to increase visitor arrivals and diversify tourism source markets for Jordan's only coastal city.

On May 6, 2026, the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) announced a cooperation agreement with Royal Jordanian Airlines to operate direct international flights connecting King Hussein International Airport with Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.

The agreement provides for two weekly flights to each destination, aiming to reduce dependence on travel through the capital, Amman, while offering additional options for passengers from Gulf markets.

The initial announcement identified September 18 as the planned launch date for Abu Dhabi flights and September 24 for Riyadh services, before subsequent adjustments appeared in published flight schedules.

In September, Royal Jordanian announced the launch of its direct Riyadh–Aqaba service, while later schedule information indicated that Abu Dhabi had been added to Aqaba's network from late October.

These differences between the original announcements and updated schedules highlight the importance of checking actual flight operations and departure times directly with the airline before booking, rather than relying solely on the dates announced in the May agreement.

The new routes are particularly important for Aqaba because of its proximity to Gulf tourism markets, where travellers frequently seek destinations suitable for short holidays.

Direct flights allow visitors to reach Aqaba without travelling through Amman, potentially supporting tourism packages that combine beaches, marine activities and desert excursions.

Tour operators can also develop itineraries linking Aqaba with Wadi Rum and Petra, enabling other Jordanian destinations to benefit from improved air connectivity.

However, achieving these benefits will depend on flight reliability, ticket prices, actual passenger demand and the availability of suitable tourism packages.

When the agreement was signed, ASEZA stated that the Cairo–Aqaba route was operating twice weekly and that additional services connecting Aqaba with European markets and Russia were under consideration.

The objective is to diversify international tourism source markets and reduce dependence on traditional seasonal demand.

However, these plans do not mean that the proposed European and Russian routes have already entered operation.

The impact of improved air connectivity extends beyond airlines. It can also benefit hotels, transport companies, diving centres, tour operators and restaurants.

At the same time, two weekly flights to each destination represent a relatively limited initial service, making it necessary to monitor passenger demand and operational sustainability before assessing the wider economic results.

Aqaba's experience demonstrates that tourism destination development depends not only on building hotels and visitor facilities but also on making destinations easier to reach.

The real test for these new routes will be their ability to translate improved air connectivity into actual visitor arrivals, longer stays and greater tourism spending that benefits Aqaba and its surrounding destinations.