Queen Alia International Airport Reports Strong Growth in 1st Quarter

Airport International Group (AIG), the Jordanian consortium responsible for the rehabilitation, expansion, and operation of the Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), recently announced the results for the 1stquarter of 2012. The results indicate continued positive growth trends in passenger traffic, aircraft movements, and processed cargo.

For the first time in QAIA history, passenger traffic in January and February exceeded 800 thousand passengers, while March recorded the highest passenger volume of the quarter with over 500 thousand travelers coming through the airport, a 31% increase compared to same period last year. The overall 1stquarter results represent a 24% increase from same period in 2011 with 1,400,000 passengers.

Aircraft movements (ACM) also experienced positive growth during the first quarter, with over 15,000 ACM in total, a 7% increase compared to same period last year. In terms of cargo processed at the airport, over 21,000 tons made its way through the QAIA in the first quarter, a 4.5% increase from same period last year.

"These figures certainly indicate that the best is yet to come," commented Kjeld Binger, CEO of Airport International Group. "The excellent start of 2012 reflects the importance of the Jordanian aviation sector; and the sizeable increase in passenger traffic in the first quarter of this year is an impressive accomplishment. These results confirm that we are well on our way towards transforming the QAIA into a regional destination and niche transit hub.”

For all three consecutive months of the 1stquarter, AIG experienced record growth, in large part due to air travel within the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) region. Royal Jordanian Airlines was the largest contributor to increases in passenger traffic and aircraft movements, although the return of airlines such a Libyan Air and Egypt Air also made a significant impact. The transfer of Royal Falcon Airlines from the Marka airport to the QAIA has also boosted figures.

With the approach of the high-traffic summer season, AIG has initiated plans with further investments to upgrade and renovate specific facilities in the current terminals, including restroom areas, which will be completed next month. In addition to that, the company has spent approximately US $100 million on improving the existing facilities at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) since the handover in 2007. AIG is also investing an estimated US $750 million to construct a landmark new terminal which will serve as a source of pride and prosperity for all Jordanians.