Aqaba Development Corporation and National Aviation Services sign an agreement to operate the Air Cargo Terminal at King Hussein International Airport

The agreement was signed during the Middle East Economic Digest (MEED) Conference that took place at the Dead Sea. It was signed by ADC Acting CEO, Nasim Al Ahmad and NAS Commercial Manager, Thomas Nolan, ASEZA Chief Commissioner Nader Dahabi attended the signing ceremony as well as NAS's Operations Manager Engineer Najeh Al Ajami.

NAS - a proven performer in the sector - will be responsible for establishing KHIA as a viable cargo hub, thereby enhancing services to current and future ASEZ-based enterprises and generating new air traffic at the airport.

ADC took over King Hussein International Airport (KHIA) in 2004, where facilities then included a newly completed unoccupied 5000 square meter air cargo terminal. Early in 2005 ADC solicited Expressions of Interest to operate the terminal and in June approved an Invitation to Tender for distribution to six short-listed international candidates.

Bids were received in September from three parties. After careful review by an ADC Evaluation Committee, National Aviation Services (NAS), operator of one of the two air cargo facilities at Kuwait Airport, was selected as the preferred party.

Al Ahmad stated that

'The new tender comes within ADC's strategy to accelerate the implementation of the master plan to develop the Aqaba Special Economic Zone (ASEZ) into a business hub. This aims to complement the institutional and legislative framework created to attract investments in tourism, entertainment and professional and logistical services.'

Nolan said that NAS will at the outset invest a minimum of JD2.7 million to equip the facility and will hire initially approximately 40 staff growing ultimately to about 100, predominantly local, personnel. NAS will also be responsible for marketing the facility and their services, and is expected to start work by the second half of this year.

He added that the company is proud to be selected by ADC and is determined on promoting and enhancing the services provided in the Air Cargo Terminal to meet with the international standards.