New TETRA system for Jordanian international airport

Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) in Jordan has selected Sepura TETRA radios for all its digital communications requirements. Located 35 km from the heart of the capital Amman, QAIA served 6.2 million passengers in 2012 in addition to providing air cargo and other aviation support services.

The contract was achieved in conjunction with Airport International Group (AIG) - responsible for the operation of QAIA, the engineering organisation Joannou & Paraskevaides (J&P) and SITA - a global specialist in air transport communication and IT solutions. Sepura’s global track record in the airport sector led to the choice of its STP8000 hand-portable TETRA radios with the objective to provide secure voice and data communications.

QAIA’s communications team also selected Sepura’s STP8X intrinsically safe hand-portable radios, said to be the only TETRA terminals to be approved to the latest version 6 of the IECEx/ATEX standard. These radios will be particularly beneficial to airport teams, such as the fire brigade and the airplane refuelling teams, operating in potentially hazardous conditions and areas.

Sepura’s TETRA equipment is part of SITA’s systems integration for QAIA, which will provide a total airport IT solution operating 70 check-in counters, 18 departure gates, 16 transfer desks, 10 check-in kiosks and 133 flight display screens across its 90,000 m². The airport’s new TETRA system provides coverage in a variety of zones, including the passenger and cargo terminals, all service corridors, the apron area, the car parks, the bus stations and all the underground facilities, such as the telecom and maintenance rooms.

Karl Whyte, sales director - Middle East for Sepura, said: “This significant contract emphasises Sepura’s growth in the Middle East and consolidates Sepura’s position in security and management of airports around the world. Security and safety are key factors and considerations for airport operators and our complete TETRA solutions are proven to satisfy these requirements.”