Amman- Swicorp, a diversified financial services firm based in Saudi Arabia, acquired a 20-per-cent interest in Jordan Aviation for 180 million dollars, the airline's president and CEO Mohammad Khashman was quoted as saying Thursday by Jordanian daily al-Rai.

The takeover is part of Jordan Aviation's expansion plan which also involves the purchase of 16 new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus at an estimated cost of 200 million dollars, he said.

"Two aircraft have already been introduced into the service while eight will start operating in the coming months and six others before the end of the year," Khashman said.

Jordan Aviation, the leading aircraft leasing company in the Middle East, is the first privately owned airline to be granted a Jordanian Air Operating Certificate.

It also joined the world's leading airlines in their commitment to global safety and security management in aviation by completing the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) in 2006. (dpa)