New Airport Taking Shape in Jordan

A new terminal has been added to the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan. This latest addition, which is essentially a reinvented and fully functional airport in itself, is expected to become operational within the next 12 months and was designed to accommodate the rapid increase in passenger numbers (up 40% in three years to about 5.5 million in 2011).

The iconic design was created by the renowned architect Sir Norman Foster, who was personally selected by His Majesty King Abdullah II bin al-Hussein himself. The stand-out characteristic is the roof design, which was inspired by Bedouin tents and is composed of 127 concrete domes, each weighing up to 600 tons. Upon its completion, the process of shifting operations from the existing terminal to the new terminal is planned to take place in a one-time overnight transfer. This will involve minute coordination of around 4,000 people who work at the airport and all the systems in place.

Other improvements include:

- Increasing the retail space by 25%, from 29 to 39 retail outlets.
- The new building is designed to allow passengers easy access to the boarding lounge and shopping areas directly from the security checkpoint.
- AIG (Airport International Group) is also ensuring the new terminal provides high standards for what passengers value most including: hotel facilities, ample food & beverage and shopping areas, children’s play areas, clear signage, sufficient flight information screens, comfortable seating in waiting areas and high levels of service at the customer assistance counter.