The Chairman of the Jazeera Airways (J9, Kuwait) Group, Marwan Boodai, says his company is close to finalizing a deal with the Kuwaiti government to build a dedicated terminal at Kuwait International Airport.

First announced some three years ago, the budget carrier has already held talks with Kuwait's Directorate General of Civil Aviation for the position and location of the terminal. Boodai told journalists during the carrier's quarterly financial review that the structure, which will cost approximately KWD10 million (USD33.14 million), would allow the airline to independently cope with rising demand for travel in the region.

"Jazeera Airways is committed to invest a good part into the aviation industry in Kuwait. We firmly believe this is a growing business in Kuwait," Boodai was quoted by the Kuwait Times.

Government's own plans to construct a second airport terminal stalled last year after contractors baulked at the KWD1 billion (USD3.3 billion) in additional financial overheads imposed on them. The terminal was due to have been completed by 2016 though given the delays, it is uncertain if the project will meet that deadline.

Buoyed by strong demand and high load factors, Jazeera Airways posted a net profit of KWD3.0 million (USD9.9 million) this last quarter, up 44.6% on the same period last year.

Earlier this year, Boodai said the Group would consolidate its activities around the budget airline by selling off its Sahaab Aircraft Leasing subsidiary and its fleet of fifteen A320-200s to a consortium comprising Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited and Investec Bank PLC for KWD149 million (USD493.9 million).