June Passenger Volume Increases by 23.8% 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), recently announced its June traffic results. Figures showed new records in QAIA passenger (PAX) and aircraft movements (ACMs), with passenger numbers reaching 619,615 persons. The increase in passenger volume represents a remarkable 23.8% increase compared to June 2011. ACMs numbered 6,238 in total, a 12.4% increase compared to June 2011.  

In terms of year-to-date passenger traffic, over three million passengers (3,023,499 PAX) have travelled through the QAIA from January 2012 to the end of June, a significant 22.0% increase over the same six-month period in 2011. The year-to-date ACM at the conclusion of June were recorded at 32,812, a 7.9% increase over the same period in 2011. The total year-to-date amount of cargo stood at nearly 45,480 tons at the end of June, an 8.5% increase over the same period last year.

“The first half of 2012 has proved that our continuous optimism about the future has been justified,” commented Kjeld Binger, CEO of AIG. “We are now at the height of tourism season in Jordan with Ramadan and the Eid holidays approaching. The QAIA network is growing and we look forward to a prosperous season for the local aviation and tourism sectors.”

With the significant growth in passengers and flights at the QAIA, the airport is seeing a remarkable volume of passengers arriving and departing on a daily basis. As a result, AIG officials advise travelers to arrive at the airport three hours prior to their flight, in order to avoid any congestion or delays.  

AIG is investing an estimated US $750 million to construct a landmark new terminal - now 85% complete - which will serve as a source of pride and prosperity for all Jordanians. This new terminal will significantly increase the airport capacity to 9 million passengers annually, nearly tripling the current airport capacity of 3.5 million passengers annually. Future expansions will allow the airport to reach a capacity of 12 million passengers a year. AIG has also spent US $100 million on rehabilitating and improving the existing terminals to enable the airport to handle the continuous growth in passenger traffic.