AQABA -- HRH Crown Prince Hussein, the Regent, on Wednesday inaugurated the new expansion of the arrivals terminal at the King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba.
Prince Hussein toured the arrival terminal of the airport and was briefed on the benefits of the 1,500-square-metre expansion project, implemented at a total cost of JD5 million.
Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority Chief Commissioner Kamel Mahadin, who presented the briefing, said the terminal facilitates arrival procedures for passengers who now spend no more than 25 minutes to complete the required formalities.
Airport Director Munir Asaad said the expansion project was part of a comprehensive plan for the airport, which began in 2008 to meet the operating requirements by 2028 at a total cost of JD60 million.
Established in 1972, the facility was the first Jordanian airport to obtain a licence from the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission, offering its services to more than 35 airlines travelling to 13 destinations worldwide.
The airport's investment returns on the Kingdom's economy are estimated at JD300 million.
Last year, around 171,000 travellers came to Aqaba, some 330km south of Amman, on 2,820 planes that landed at the airport.
The airport is owned by the Aqaba Development Corporation and has been operated by the Aqaba Airports Company since 2007. It includes investments worth around JD100 million.
© Jordan Times 2013
