PM tours $750m passenger project

Prime Minister Fayez Tarawneh Thursday visited Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), to check on progress of work at the new US$750 million terminal expected to open early next year. During the visit, the Airport International Group (AIG) CEO Kjeld Binger briefed the premier on passenger traffic and aircraft movements at the airport, highlighting the significant growth and prosperity QAIA has witnessed and how the new expansion boosts the airport position as a major hub in the region. Binger said that around 91 percent of the project has been completed, adding that AIG will soon launch the testing phase of the new terminal to ensure its operational readiness prior to opening. Tarawneh stressed the vital role of the project and its positive effect on tourism , local aviation and investment attraction which further boost the national economy,stressing the need to complete the project on time and sustain coordination and cooperation among all relevant actors to ensure achievement of project goals. “The visit reaffirms the Jordanian government’s serious commitment to developing the local aviation sector and further increasing its impact on the national economy”,Binger said adding that the considerable support AIG receive from the government contributes greatly to the success of the project. At the end of the visit,Prime Minister toured the existing facilities and the new terminal, where he was further briefed on the advancements and technologies being employed in the operations of the terminal. AIG, the Jordanian consortium responsible for the rehabilitation, expansion, and operation of the Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), has invested US$750 million to build the state-of-the-art new terminal – in addition to US$100 million spent on rehabilitating the terminals currently in use – with the goal of transforming Jordan’s primary gateway into a niche regional hub.