A nitrifier consortium immobilized in polyvinyl alcohol was used to remove ammonia nitrogen from synthetic wastewater in an airlift bioreactor. The minimum aeration rates were 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 vvm for 5, 10, 15 and 20% immobilized bead packing volume fraction, respectively. The efficient packing fraction and the aeration rate for ammonia nitrogen removal were 15% and 2.4 vvm, respectively. With a hydraulic retention time of 0.5hr, the removal rate and the efficiency of ammonia nitrogen removal were 1685 g/㎥$.$day and 48% at an influent ammonia nitrogen concentration of 75 g/㎥.