Royal Jordanian begins operations from new QAIA today

His Majesty King Abdulla II and Queen Rania Al Abdullah opened the new 103,000 square metre terminal last week. He described the project one of the most important air transport gateways in the region, supporting the Kingdom's economic, tourism and trade growth.

The new terminal boosts QAIA capacity from 3.5million to 9million passengers per year.

Annual capacity at the airport will subsequently grow to 12 million in the final stages of its development.

The project was carried out by the Airport International Group (AIG) consortium comprising several international, regional and local investors. It has been described as a prime example of successful public private partnerships with a 25-year build-operate-transfer (BOT) concession and an estimated $750 million investment.   Jordan’s government retains the ownership of the Airport and receives around 54.47% of gross revenues for the 25-year term of the agreement.

The new terminal - which was designed by British architect Norman Foster - will initially operate with eight new gates. Phase two will add another four gates, while a total of 25 gates will be in use upon completion.

Jordan’s minister of transport and Alaa Batayneh said the new terminal - offering around 20,000 direct and indirect job opportunities - is one of the many accomplishments that are being implemented under Jordan's ambitious development plans.

In his speech at the official opening, attended by Prime Minister Abdullah Nsoor he confirmed that the new terminal is part of Jordan's plans to develop the aviation sector and place foundations for civil aviation as a necessary means for growth.

"Your Majesty's presence here today to open the new terminal at Queen Alia International Airport stands as a testament to the progress this country had made with regards to its development plans in a manner that directly benefits Jordanian citizens. The 3.5 million passenger per year capacity of the old terminal has already been exceeded. The old terminal can no longer meet increasing worldwide demands for air passenger traffic."

Batayneh said that over the past five years, the traffic at Queen Alia International Airport has witnessed remarkable growth. When comparing figures from 2006 to figures from 2012, Jordan is now directly connected to 61 stations across the world, compared to a previous 40 stations. The number of daily flights has risen to 180 flights in comparison to a previous 110 flights per. Total passengers in also rose to over six million.

AIG chairman Nazem Al Kudsi announced that in celebration of the new opening AIG is sponsoring 100 beneficiaries of the ‘Al-Aman Fund for the Future of the Orphans' to travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah.