Jordan’s Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA) is inviting companies to submit bids by 25 October for the expansion of King Hussein International airport in Aqaba, on the country’s Red Sea coast.

This is the first phase of the expansion and involves the expansion and rehabilitation of the existing passenger terminal at the airport. Work will also cover improvements of related infrastructure, such as roads and pavements, as well as adding water and electricity infrastructure.

JCAA first announced plans to expand the terminal in April 2010 (MEED 27:4:10).

The expansion is expected to double capacity to about two million passengers a year. The airport currently has an annual capacity of one million passengers.

Aqaba’s location on Jordan’s Red Sea coast makes it a popular tourist destination. The airport is being expanded to cater to the volume of tourists that visit the area each year.

The country is currently carrying out the first phase of the $750m expansion of Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan, which will be completed in the first quarter of 2012.

The first phase will increase passenger capacity to nine million each year. In 2009, Queen Alia International handled 4.7m passengers. The first phase involves the construction of a second passenger terminal that will be 100,000 square metres when complete.