Regarding its flight expansion, Majali said the RJ has approved a five-year operational plan aimed to travel to 60 global destinations over the next five years, and building a “robust” regional aviation network through Amman.
Under the plan, he said the RJ will reach 60 global destinations up from the current 35 during the next five years, and will increase its aircraft fleet from the 24 current planes to 45.
Majali added that RJ is investing in “the Kingdom’s capabilities as a center of economic activity in the region”.
The new operational expansion plan comes after the RJ tackled years of stagnation caused by regional conditions and the Covid-19 crisis, according to Majali.
Majali announced resumption of RJ flights to Moscow, Copenhagen, Geneva and Zurich, with two flights per week, after travel suspension imposed by Covid-19 crisis restrictions, adding RJ has launched its new destination, to the Iraqi city of Najaf.
Majali voiced concerns about the spread of Omicron strain, which fueled people’s fears to travel, pointing to the decline in travel during the current month of January, despite previous “optimistic” forecasts of its recovery in 2022.
As for investments to support RJ, he said the airline is discussing re-investing in the travel support services, stressing the success of the privatization process of the RJ-supporting companies, even though their complete privatization was not “appropriate.”
Majali added: “If RJ had acquired a stake in these companies when privatized, it would have helped the airline address the current economic conditions.”
On the competition with low-cost airlines, Majali stressed that RJ is able to support group tourism to and from the Kingdom if the company receives government support and incentives granted to international low-cost airlines.
Regarding activation of IATA Travel Pass, Majali said the RJ will start using this mobile app within a month, which is in its final stages in preparation for its operationalization, in cooperation with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship.
SOURCE: JORDAN NEWS AGENCY