Ryanair Expands in Jordan With Record Winter Schedule and Ambitious Investment Plan Boosting Tourism: What You Need to Know

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In a landmark announcement, Ryanair has revealed its largest-ever winter schedule for Amman, alongside a major investment plan to transform Jordan into the premier tourism hub of the Middle East. The new schedule, announced on 24 October 2025, features over three hundred thousand seats across eighteen routes connecting twelve European Union countries, including key markets such as Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

The expansion marks Ryanair’s complete return to pre-pandemic flight operations in Jordan, with eighty-four weekly flights from Amman and year-round connections to Aqaba, highlighting the airline’s confidence in the region’s tourism potential and economic growth policies.

Boosted Air Connectivity Across Europe

For the upcoming winter season, Ryanair is connecting Amman Queen Alia International Airport to major European destinations, reinforcing Jordan’s role as a bridge between East and West. Passengers can now enjoy more direct and affordable flights from cities including Vienna, Brussels, Paris, Milan, Berlin, and Madrid.

This extensive European network aims to make Jordan more accessible for both leisure and business travelers, expanding tourism inflow and promoting travel affordability through Ryanair’s low-fare strategy. The announcement coincides with the airline’s broader goal to enhance network resilience and stimulate economic activity within the Middle East aviation landscape.

Major Investment Plan for Jordan’s Aviation Future

Beyond network expansion, Ryanair also unveiled a strategic investment proposal aimed at elevating Jordan’s connectivity and capacity. The plan outlines four key objectives:

• Increase annual passenger traffic by three hundred sixty percent to reach three million seats by 2028.
• Expand to fifty direct routes from European destinations to Jordan.
• Launch new services from Marka Airport (Amman) to complement operations at Queen Alia International Airport.
• Maintain year-round flights to Aqaba, supporting consistent access to Jordan’s Red Sea tourism region.

This investment proposal reflects Ryanair’s long-term commitment to Jordan’s tourism infrastructure and is expected to create new jobs while significantly contributing to the national economy through aviation and hospitality growth.

Strong Partnership With Jordan’s Government and Tourism Board

Ryanair’s ongoing success in Jordan stems from its strategic collaboration with the Jordanian Government, the Jordan Tourism Board (JTB), and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, which has supported the airline’s expansion since their partnership began in 2018.

According to JTB Managing Director Dr. Abdul Razzaq Arabiyat, the Ryanair partnership has already brought over one million European visitors to Jordan and strengthened the country’s global reputation as a key tourism destination. The continuation of this alliance supports Jordan’s tourism diversification efforts and aims to position the nation as one of the most competitive and connected destinations in the region.

This partnership is part of Jordan’s comprehensive approach to attract more international airlines and integrate sustainable tourism growth strategies, strengthening its economic resilience.

Economic and Tourism Impact

The expanded network underlines how air travel accessibility directly supports Jordan’s tourism-driven development goals. Tourism contributes more than ten percent to Jordan’s GDP, generating significant foreign exchange and local employment. Increasing seat capacity allows more European travelers to discover Jordan’s historical wonders, from Petra and Wadi Rum to the Dead Sea and Aqaba’s coral-rich coastline.

As part of this expansion, Ryanair’s low-fare services make cultural and religious tourism more accessible for a growing middle-class travel market across Europe. The airline’s cost-conscious approach strategically encourages visitors to spend more locally on hotels, restaurants, and experiences, thus amplifying tourism’s multiplier effect on the Jordanian economy.

Experts project that the additional flight connectivity could contribute hundreds of millions in tourism revenue annually, supporting thousands of jobs in sectors such as hospitality, retail, and transportation.

Year-Round Access to Aqaba and Marka Airport Expansion

The airline’s plan to introduce operations at Marka Airport in Amman aims to ease traffic congestion at Queen Alia International Airport, improving operational efficiency and positioning Marka as a secondary hub for low-cost and regional carriers. This addition will further strengthen Jordan’s aviation infrastructure while offering travelers enhanced options for domestic and regional travel.

Meanwhile, Aqaba International Airport, gateway to the Red Sea, will benefit from year-round Ryanair flights. Extending the peak tourism period to all twelve months of the year aligns with Jordan’s goal of promoting sustainable and all-season tourism, leveraging the country’s warm climate and unique natural assets to attract international visitors throughout the year.

A Catalyst for Regional Tourism Growth

Ryanair’s increasing footprint in Jordan is expected to impact the broader region positively. By connecting key European capitals to Jordan’s dynamic cultural and adventure tourism circuits, the airline introduces new travel pathways into the Middle East. Tourism leaders in neighboring countries anticipate secondary benefits, as travelers use Jordan as a regional gateway.

The introduction of more routes also aligns with Visit Jordan’s strategic marketing efforts that highlight experiences combining heritage, culture, and natural beauty. Collaborative promotions across Europe emphasize Jordan’s unique appeal as a safe, welcoming, and diverse destination.

Looking Ahead: Jordan as a Premier Tourism Hub

Ryanair’s record-breaking winter schedule and long-term investment strategy represent a defining milestone for Jordan’s aviation industry. The airline expects its annual seat capacity surge to act as a catalyst for new hotel developments, tour programs, and community tourism ventures.

As Ryanair cements its position as a major partner in Jordan, it not only enhances the accessibility of the nation’s renowned attractions but also reinforces the Hashemite Kingdom’s global tourism leadership in the Middle East.

For Jordan, the collaboration signals the beginning of an ambitious new phase in post-pandemic tourism recovery, connecting heritage-rich destinations with millions of European travelers eager to explore the crossroads of history and modern hospitality.

Image Credit: Ryanair DAC