Royal Jordanian transferred all its departing and arriving flights to the new terminal at Queen Alia International Airport on 21 March 2013. His Majesty King Abdullah II opened the terminal on March 14.
Royal Jordanian is pleased to receive its passengers at the new terminal, along with the passengers of all airlines operating at the airport. The new terminal is a landmark in the country and one of the most developed and advanced gateways in the region, in terms of construction and design, which blend Islamic architecture with the latest technology. Royal Jordanian operates more than 100 flights daily, making up 60% of the traffic at the airport.
The new terminal was built on over 103,000 square meters, double the area of the old terminal. The work translated into a modern building increasing Queen Alia International Airport's capacity from 3.5 million to 9 million passengers per year, with plans to increase the capacity even further, to 12 million passengers per year in the final stage.
Royal Jordanian President/CEO Eng. Amer Hadidi said that this big Jordanian achievement is a milestone for the country and one of the accomplishments of His Majesty King Abdullah’s vision to make Jordan a distinguished gateway for tourists and investors in the Middle East.
He added that the new terminal, with its cutting-edge features, constitutes an added value for Royal Jordanian, since it is the hub of the airline’s operations.
Eng. Hadidi stressed that this accomplishment is a source of pride, fundamental to Royal Jordanian’s operations and keenness to improve services. He said that the additional logistical capabilities of the new terminal are bound to give Royal Jordanian more opportunities to serve a higher number of passengers and operate more flights.
He expressed gratitude to the Airport International Group (AIG) that accomplished this vital project, with which he hopes to maintain good cooperation in the service of the Jordanian air transport industry.
The Royal Jordanian president mentioned that inaugurating this landmark coincides with the 50th anniversary of Royal Jordanian, the national carrier of Jordan and is a pertinent reflection of the way the Jordanian air transport industry developed. The new achievement will contribute to boosting the company’s competitiveness, helping it to implement its strategic plans for growth and expansion. The new Jordanian gateway will support the Jordanian travel and tourism industry and the local parties working in this sector.
One significant feature at the new terminal is the complete separation of arrivals and departures. The upper floor, which contains 64 check-in counters, serves departing passengers, whereas the lower floor is dedicated to arriving passengers who receive their luggage on six conveyor belts.
The new terminal will operate eight new gates; phase two will follow with four new gates, until it operates a total of twenty five gates in the final stage, in line with international standards, which require one gate for each half a million passengers.
The terminal was designed by renowned British architect Sir Norman Foster, who designed the new Wembley Stadium in London, among other international landmarks.
The design of the roof, composed of 127 concrete domes, is inspired by bedouin tents.
Source: Royal Jordanian