Malev Airlines announces twice weekly service between Amman to Budapest

The airline will operate new generation Boeing 737 aircraft twice a week beginning June 2nd, 2009. Amman is Malev's fourth destination in the Middle East.

According to Malev Airlines, a sizable portion of passengers on flights to the region are transit travelers connecting through Budapest, which is why the scheduling for the Amman flights is closely integrated into the airline's scheduled hub to West and North Europe. The airline is confident that the service will attract not only Hungarian tourists and business travelers, but also visitors to Jordan from other points in Europe.

Malev customers have been able to fly directly between Amman and Budapest on code-share flights operated by oneworld alliance member Royal Jordanian. From June 1st, 2009, Malev will take up this service between the two capitals, while Royal Jordanian will code-share on the Malev flight.

Curtis Grad, Chief Executive Officer of the Airport International Group, investor and operator of Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, said:

"We were delighted to receive confirmation that oneworld alliance carrier Malev will maintain this important link between Jordan and Hungary."

"Connecting our growing "niche" hub at Queen Alia International Airport with Malev's home base in Budapest will ensure travelers in Jordan and the Middle East will benefit from a wide range of connections through to the Malev route network. We are very pleased to be recognized by Malev as an important element in their Middle East strategy," Grad added.

The 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).