King Hussein International Airport 'main pillar' of ASEZA project — CARC

AMMAN — King Hussein International Airport (KHIA) is the Kingdom's air gateway and the pivotal support for the Aqaba Special Economic Zone project, Chairman of Civil Aviation Regulatory Authority’s (CARC) Board of Commissioners Haitham Misto said.

Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday in Aqaba, Misto said that CARC is a regulator and observer body that seeks to keep pace with the latest advancements in the aviation sector and air transport and cargo, which is regarded the engine of the national economy.

The authority is constantly following up on the airport's operations and procedures to ensure the highest level of security, and safety and ease passengers and aircraft traffic, he said.

He added that "the inspection procedures are part of the authority's tasks and duties to maintain the Kingdom's aviation industry at the highest levels, notably meet the requirements of the World Aviation Organisation".

Jordan's records are clean of any observations related  the aviation sector, he noted, highlighting  that Jordan enjoys  advanced ranks on the international classification, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

CEO of Aqaba Airports Company Ramzi Arafat commended the authority's move to inspect the airport's facilities and procedures, which is in line with the company's vision to keep pace with the latest developments in the aviation industry.

The airport received 200,000 passengers (arrivals and departures) during 2022, marking an increase of 78 per cent against the previous year, he noted, highlighting that out of which were 33,000 passengers on low-cost flights (EasyJet, Ryanair, and Wizz Air) that connect Aqaba with 22 European destinations and cities in regular weekly flights.

The first flight from Poland's Warsaw, carrying a tourist group, landed on Tuesday at the airport, he announced, noting that the company is completing the SITA project, which is meant to improve the airport's ICT system.