Aqaba · OJAQ
AQJKing Hussein International Airport · Red Sea / Southern Levant
Aqaba is the Red Sea entry point for Jordan and the only Special Economic Zone airport in the Levant — customs documentation is simpler than Amman.
OJAQ is the entry point for inbound traffic to the Red Sea coast (Aqaba, Tala Bay, Saraya), Petra (90-minute ground transfer), and Wadi Rum tourism circuits. The ASEZA Special Economic Zone status removes most of the standard Jordanian import/export documentation friction — LFS bases here because the customs simplification is significant for crew and passengers carrying mixed-origin baggage.
Operations notes
OJAQ has one runway (01/19) at 3,000 m — accepts the full bizjet fleet including BBJ and ACJ. GA parks at a six-stand apron with direct customs walkway. Approaches are ILS RWY 01 and RNAV both directions.
Field elevation (175 ft) means hot-and-high penalties are minimal. Summer surface temperatures peak at 42°C but the low elevation keeps performance impact moderate. CAT I ILS supports recovery.
ASEZA Free Zone status means most goods (catering, spares, supplies) can move airside without standard import duty filings. LFS uses this for AOG spares delivery into the broader Levant network — Aqaba is faster than Amman for any spare requiring same-day customs.
No slot coordination. Stand booked direct with LFS. Traffic density is low (typically < 40 movements per day); peak holiday season (Dec–Feb) drives some congestion but stand availability remains good.
ASEZA Special Economic Zone simplifies customs. Jordan e-Visa applies. Crew clearance sub-5 minutes; passenger clearance 6–10 minutes. AOG spare imports clear in under 1 hour vs. 3–4 hours at OJAI/OJAM.
Jet A-1 supplied by JPRC via bowser. Pricing tracks Med-region platts with ASEZA Free Zone fuel tax reduction. LFS releases fuel within 30 minutes of upload request.
Mövenpick Aqaba, Kempinski Aqaba, and Hyatt Regency Tala Bay are within 15 minutes. Aqaba is a tourism hub — crew lodging is consistently high quality and reasonably priced. Jordan e-Visa permits standard stays.
Weather & seasonal factors
Hot, dry Red Sea climate. Summer surface temperatures peak at 42°C with low humidity. Winter (Nov–Feb) is mild, dry, and the ideal operating window. Wind events from the Gulf of Aqaba occasionally drive crosswinds on RWY 01/19 — CAT I ILS supports recovery.
Permits & lead times
- Landing: CARC Jordan landing permit; ASEZA Free Zone status streamlines customs documentation.
- Overflight: Amman FIR — CARC block clearance.
- Lead time: 24 hours; 4 hours AOG.
Recommended alternates
- OJAIQueen Alia — 175 nm north, AOE, CAT II ILS
- LLETEilat Ramon — 18 nm south, AOE, 24/7 (Israel border)
- OETBTabuk — 220 nm south, NEOM gateway
Partners on station
Primary desk: LFS Aqaba (own desk)
Aqaba (OJAQ) — frequently asked
Why use Aqaba over Amman for Petra trips?
Petra is 90 minutes by ground from Aqaba vs. 3 hours from Amman. Aqaba is the faster routing for tourism circuits.
What does ASEZA Free Zone status mean operationally?
Simplified customs documentation, faster AOG spare imports, reduced fuel tax. LFS uses Aqaba for any AOG requiring same-day customs in the Levant.
Can I clear Israel-bound passengers here?
Yes — Eilat Ramon (LLET) is 18 nm south. Ground crossing at the Wadi Araba border is sub-30 minutes.
Are there hangar facilities?
Limited. LFS arranges open-air stand with security; heated hangar must be pre-arranged via Royal Wings 14 days in advance.
LFS handles OJAQ 24/7.
Send registration, type, route, dates. We reply with permit lead, slot probability, stand, fuel quote, and crew logistics in one message.