Today saw the start of a new chapter in Jordan’s history with the opening of a state-of-the-art terminal at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) by His Majesty King Abdullah.

Designed by one of the world’s leading architects, Sir Norman Foster, the new terminal will accommodate the rapid growth in passenger traffic to Jordan. The expansion will make the Kingdom a key stop-over point and destination in the region for global traffic, opening new business and route expansion opportunities for medium and long-haul flights from Europe and the rest of the world.

Operations will officially begin on 21st March following a one-time, overnight transfer from the old facilities. The 103,000-square-metre building boasts vastly improved infrastructure and facilities capable of catering to the steady surge in Jordan’s passenger traffic. QAIA’s annual capacity is expected to increase from 3.5 million passengers to 9 million passengers, and eventually to 12 million passengers.

Airport International Group (AIG), a Jordanian company owned by an international consortium comprising Invest AD, Noor, Edgo, ADPM, J&P, and J&P Avax, holds a 25-year Build, Operate, Transfer (BOT) concession for operating the existing terminal at QAIA and for constructing the new terminal.

QAIA traffic has grown considerably since the award of the 25-year BOT, concession to AIG. Between 2007 and 2012, annual passenger traffic grew by 61.9% reaching 6.25 million passengers and annual aircraft movement grew by 50.3% reaching 67,190. Today, 44 airlines operate at QAIA directly connecting Amman to 64 destinations around the world.

The airport project recently won a Gold award from the International Finance Corporation for the best public-private partnership amongst emerging markets in Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.