bmi to operate Airbus A330 aircraft from Amman to London's Heathrow Airport

In announcing the new enhanced service, Nigel Turner, Chief Executive Officer of bmi commented;

"Amman has got off to an excellent start and is performing well ahead of expectations in passenger numbers and revenue. However, there exists even further potential for the development and growth of the route. It was always our intention to upgrade the aircraft operating some mid-haul services to a wide bodied product and Amman in particular is ideally suited. We have every confidence that there will be significant benefits to be gained with the introduction of that upgrade."

"Passengers will benefit from the highest levels of service both on the ground and in the air, including in-flight chefs and lie-flat beds for business class travelers. This will considerably enhance our business class offering as well as ensuring we are delivering a highly competitive product."

"In providing wide-bodied A330 aircraft, we will also be providing a consistency of style of cabin for the many passengers that use these services to connect to and from long haul services at Heathrow."


Curtis Grad, Chief Executive Officer of Airport International Group, operators and investors in the redevelopment of Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, welcomed the announcement by bmi, stating,

"We are very encouraged by bmi's decision to further develop their Amman-London route. The improved comfort and increased capacity of the new upgraded wide-bodied service will be a welcomed addition, particularly for those travelling frequently between the two capitals for business and pleasure."

When asked what this most recent route enhancement means to AIG, in strategic terms, Mr. Grad replied; "The further development of bmi's service into Amman is fully aligned with our mid-term objectives which are focused on building the business incrementally and organically within the capacity constraints of the existing facilities, as we eagerly await completion of the new state-of-the-art terminal."

Annual QAIA passenger volumes are forecast to close the year at an all time high, exceeding four million passengers for the very first time.

Due for completion in 2011, the new world-class terminal will have the capacity to comfortably welcome more than nine million passengers a year, with all the requisite service, facilities and amenities.

The $700m rehabilitation and expansion works at QAIA are well underway with the new passenger terminal extending over 85,000 square meters.

AIG, under the terms of a 25-year concession agreement with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, is responsible for the operation of the airport, the rehabilitation of existing facilities and the construction of the new terminal.

AIG is a Jordanian company with private shareholding by Abu Dhabi Investment Company (UAE), Noor Financial Investment Company (Kuwait), Edgo Group (Jordan), Joannou & Paraskevaides (Overseas) Limited (Cyprus), J&P-Avax (Greece) and Aéroports de Paris Management (France).