Airport International Group (AIG) – Jordanian operator of the Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) – has released QAIA’s traffic statistics for H1 2014, which showed continued robust growth in terms of passenger and aircraft figures.

 

QAIA is in its second phase of expansion, valued at over $100m and scheduled to be completed in 2017. Upon its completion, the expansion will help raise QAIA’s annual passenger traffic to up to 12m, which AIG hopes will enable it to fulfill its role in supporting the Kingdom’s ‘national tourism strategy goals’, and help Jordan better serve as a regional hub for leisure and business travel.

 

Between January and June 2014, year-to-date (YTD) passenger traffic surged by 12.94% to 3,576,262 and aircraft movement rose by 8.59% to 36,049.

 

The month of June brought the first half of 2014 to a positive conclusion with QAIA welcoming 687,804 passengers and 6,573 aircrafts; a 10.47% and 9.19% increase respectively, in comparison to the same month last year.

 

QAIA’S new terminal, inaugurated in 2013.

 

GCC ‘TOP CONTRIBUTOR’ TO STRONG TRAFFIC

“We are very pleased to have recorded such strong traffic growth during H1, and while the majority of the airport’s routes have shown increased activity during this period, top contributors comprised the GCC, Sharm El Sheikh, Iraq, Tripoli and London.

 

“We look forward to what the remaining six months of the year will bring, in line with our commitment towards helping QAIA reach its full potential as Jordan’s prime gateway to the world,” said Kjeld Binger, AIG CEO.

 

Retail space at the new terminal (inaugurated in 2013) accounts for 6,000s qm; 25% larger than the airport’s older retail area, and features a wide selection of food and beverage venues, shopping outlets, children play areas etc. World Duty Free Group operates the duty free concession under its Aldeasa retail brand.

 

It was in March earlier this year that the new Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) terminal commemorated its first year of operations.

 

RAISING JORDAN’S PROFILE

“Our people are, and always have been, the pillar of our success,” said AIG CEO Kjeld Binger. “Since taking over QAIA’s management in 2007, AIG has been consistently reaching bigger and more rewarding milestones thanks to the unwavering dedication and outstanding efforts of our employees.”

 

In turn, AIG Chairman Nazem Al Kudsi commented, “When I review the achievements that QAIA has managed to accomplish in such a short period of time, I am overcome by immense pride at the knowledge that a Jordanian company was the driving force behind this remarkable success. Not only has AIG developed QAIA’s services and enhanced its ranking to set it among the world’s top international airports, but it has also raised Jordan’s profile as a leading transit hub.”

 

Since its official inauguration by His Majesty King Abdullah II, the new terminal has been ranked among world’s top 50 airports for service levels and passenger satisfaction.

 

QAIA secured two 2013 Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Awards for 1st place in the category of ‘Best Improvement by Region: Middle East’ and 5th place in the category of ‘Best Airport by Region: Middle East’.

 

QAIA was also given Gold recognition as the ‘Best Emerging Market Infrastructure Project for Europe, Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa’ by Emerging Partnerships, an industry publication created by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Infrastructure Journal (IJ), and funded by the Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF).