In a sign the Kingdom’s aviation sector is successfully wooing coveted frequent flyers, Royal Jordanian’s Crown lounge at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) was named the best in Africa and the Middle East at the Priority Pass Airport Lounge of the Year Awards.

RJ’s Crown Lounge won the accolade after 100,000 votes were cast by members of Priority Pass, the global lounge access program. They were asked to judge entrants on criteria covering general lounge quality, including refreshments, staff, business facilities, and ambience.

Stephen Simpson, Priority Pass’ global marketing director, said RJ’s lounge deserved to receive the award. “This is a clear reflection of exactly what frequent travelers expect to experience in a premium independent airport lounge—a modern and stylish space filled with natural light, the perfect place to recharge and revive,” he said.

Bahrain International Airport’s Dilmun Lounge was the runner up in the category, while the overall global winner was the EuroAirport Skyview Lounge at Franco-Swiss Basel-Mulhouse Airport.

The win for RJ should further boost morale at Jordan’s national carrier, which finally returned to profit in 2015 after incurring several years of losses due to high fuel prices pushing up operating costs and regional instability forcing route cancellations to crucial regional destinations. Passenger numbers continue to grow strongly at QAIA, which was also voted the best airport in the Middle East in the latest Airport Service Quality Awards.