Jordan’s Transport Ministry is seeking expressions of interest (EOIs) from consultants to undertake a pre-feasibility study for the construction and rehabilitation of three airports using a public-private partnership (PPP) procurement model.

The projects include the construction of North Shouneh airport in Madaba, and the development and rehabilitation of the Amman Civil airport in Marka and King Hussein airport in Aqaba. The budget for each project is estimated at $170m, $60m and $85m respectively, with funding being sought from the UK’s European Bank for Reconstruction & Development (EBRD).

The North Shouneh airport project 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 the 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 third airport project comprises a two-phase rehabilitation and expansion for the King Hussein airport. With an estimated budget of $28m, 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 three years later than phase one, in 2020.

The consultant should ideally have prior experience in the delivery of feasibility studies related to PPP in the transport sector, preferably airports, and in reviewing airport-related infrastructure upgrade requirements.

EOI submission closes on 6 August.

These projects are in line with Jordan’s efforts to improve its overall infrastructure to boost its tourism and agricultural sectors, as well as to improve overall living standards in the country.