Jordan resumes international flights after delays

Sep 9, 2020

Jordan’s international airport resumed regularly scheduled international flights on Tuesday. The Hashemite Kingdom has had success fighting COVID-19, but its strict travel and movement restrictions have created hardship for citizens and residents.

Queen Alia International Airport outside of Amman will have six flights a day for now, Reuters reported. This number will increase as the airport readies itself to further implement strict health and social distancing guidelines, according to the outlet.

Jordanian authorities previously said the airport would reopen in August, but this was delayed amid continued virus concerns. Flights first stopped in March at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, and only repatriation flights were allowed. Several other countries in the region also halted most flights for months.

Queen Alia International Airport’s flight schedule showed departures and arrivals from Middle Eastern and European airports on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Jordan implemented some of the strictest travel stipulations in the Middle East in response to COVID-19. Returnees to the country had to wear a wristband that tracked their movements as they quarantined in hotels near the Dead Sea. Within the country, the army deployed in March to ensure people did not leave their homes unless absolutely necessary. Restrictions gradually eased starting in April.