Jordan’s Ministry of Transport is currently reviewing the prefeasibility study on three airport projects, which have a combined proposed budget in excess of $300m that are to be procured on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis.

In December 2015, Spain’s Advanced Logistics Group picked up the €74,000 consultancy contract that was tendered by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which has been sought to supply project financing.

The schemes include the construction of the North Shouneh airport in Madaba, and the development and rehabilitation of Amman Civil airport in Marka (Amman) and the King Hussein airport in Aqaba. The budget for each project is estimated at $170m, $60m and $85m respectively.

Expected completion dates for the projects range between 2017 and 2030.

The North Shouneh airport scheme entails the construction of aprons and a runway as well as hangars for cargo and a passenger terminal. The airport will serve as the kingdom’s agricultural hub, with a completion date set for 2020.

The proposed $60m project for Amman Civil airport is designed to rehabilitate existing runways and aprons in addition to the development of new facilities including parking spaces and the upgrade of communications and electronic systems. Project completion is set for 2021.

The rehabilitation of King Hussein International in Aqaba is split into two phases; the first phase includes runway improvements, the expansion of departure halls and the construction of a new arrival hall. It is due to be completed by 2017. The second phase, with a budget of $57m, includes the construction of a new traffic control tower and several buildings to accommodate civil defence, administrative and security services staff. It is due for completion in 2030.

Amman is among the first countries in the Middle East to use public-private partnerships (PPPs) for airports. Airport International Group (AIG), a consortium led by Abu Dhabi Investment Council (ADIC), won the tender to build and operate a new terminal at Queen Alia International in 2007. The contract was valued at $750m, and the new terminal opened in 2013.

Apart from the capital provided by AIG, additional financing was obtained through the Washington-based World Bank’s International Finance Corporation, the Saudi Arabia-based Islamic Development Bank, a syndication of commercial lenders, and shareholder equity.

ADIC holds 38 per cent shares in AIG. Other shareholders include Kuwait’s Noor Financial Investment (24 per cent), Jordan’s Edgo Group (9.5 per cent), France’s ADPM (9.5 per cent), Cyprus’ J&P (9.5 per cent) and Greece’s J&P Avax (9.5 per cent).

A second phase of the terminal, which brought Queen Alia International’s capacity from 7 million to 12 million passengers a year, was completed in September. The contract was valued at $214m.