First Boeing 747-8 Lands at Queen Alia International Airport

Airport International Group (AIG), the Jordanian consortium responsible for the rehabilitation, expansion, and operation of the Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), welcomed the landing of the first Boeing 747-8 on the night of March 6th, operated by air cargo transporter Cargolux.

The 747-8 is the latest model in Boeing’s world-renowned line of jumbo jets, with less than 10 such aircraft fully built and operational. This is the 4thgeneration of the 747 series, and the upgraded jets feature a lengthened fuselage, redesigned wings, and improved efficiency. Its payload can reach 140 tons with a range of 8,000 km.

Like its competitor, the Airbus A380, the 747’s massive size makes it a Class F aircraft. Airports serving this class of aircraft must accommodate its wide dimensions with specially designed taxiways and emergency fire-fighting equipment, amongst other necessities, AIG has worked closely with the Jordan Civil Aviation to make the QAIA the only airport in Jordan accredited to welcome this type of jumbo aircraft.

The capacity to service flights of the 747-8 and other jumbo aircraft adds to the airport’s strong momentum. In January 2012, the number of travelers coming through Jordan’s premier airport exceeded 463,000 marking a 19.08% increase from January 2011. Aircraft movements (ACMs) reached over 5,000 in January, representing a 2.67% increase from the same time in 2011.  

AIG’s investment of US $750 million to build a state-of-the-art new terminal – in addition to US $100 million spent on rehabilitating the terminals currently in use – is intended to develop the QAIA as a regional niche hub. Since AIG took over responsibility for the operation and development of the airport in 2007, passenger traffic has increased 40%, with the airport recording nearly 5.5 million travellers in 2011.