Amman: King Abdullah II of Jordan visited Queen Alia International Airport to inaugurate two major projects designed to enhance the country's standing as a pivotal logistics and aviation hub in the region. The projects, which focus on air cargo operations and aircraft maintenance, are expected to significantly increase Jordan's capacity in these sectors.
According to Jordan News Agency, the King commenced his visit by laying the foundation stone for Royal Jordanian's new air cargo operations center. This initiative, with an investment of approximately $40 million, aims to bolster Jordan's logistics capabilities to cater to the rising demand in the sector. Royal Jordanian CEO Samer Majali provided a briefing on the project, noting the airline's current provision of airfreight services to 54 global destinations, including critical shipments like medical supplies and perishable goods.
The King was also presented with future plans to expand the cargo center's operations and refine shipping processes. In addition, he inaugurated the "Hangar 7" facility of the Jordan Aircraft Maintenance Company (JORAMCO). Jeffrey Wilkinson, CEO of Dubai Aerospace Engineering, provided an overview of the maintenance services offered by JORAMCO to over 60 international airlines. The newly constructed facility, spanning more than 12,000 square meters, represents a $30 million investment aimed at increasing JORAMCO's annual capacity to service 240 aircraft.
The briefing also highlighted JORAMCO's extensive facilities, which encompass 257,000 square meters and include six hangars, 22 maintenance lines, and 10 workshops. The JORAMCO Academy, offering specialized training and academic programs in aircraft maintenance, was also discussed. It collaborates with the University of Jordan to offer a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering and maintenance.
During the tour, King Abdullah II also visited the Jordan Airline Training and Simulation Company (JATS). There, he received a briefing on the company's efforts in training pilots and airline crews using advanced simulation systems. JATS, the training division of Royal Jordanian, conducted over 14,000 hours of training last year, underscoring Jordan's prominence as a regional leader in aviation training. The King also inspected the new 'Embraer E2 Full Flight Simulator,' certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
The Director of the Office of His Majesty, Alaa Batayneh, accompanied King Abdullah II during the visit.