Royal Jordanian expands in India

Mumbai flights initially set to begin in April, have been postponed to June due to pending government clearances. Flights to Delhi are planned for mid-September.

Renewal of aviation bilateral rights between India and Jordan earlier this year allows flights to increase to dailies by summer 2026. Airlines from both countries can operate up to 14 flights per week on each route, with added frequencies hinging on traffic growth, said Karim Makhlouf, chief commercial officer.

RJ will increase its present fleet of 26 to 41 by the end of 2028 to replace the existing short- and medium-haul aircraft, CEO Samar Majali confirmed last year. The carrier’s Asian growth will be driven by India said Makhlouf with flights to China planned for next year.

“We have a distinct business model for India that taps travel agents,” said Makhlouf. Jordan, known for luxury travel, is offering travel packages with free visas in India as part of its “Explore Jordan” initiative.

“We aim to present Jordan as a year-round destination suitable for families, city experiences, hiking, scuba diving, and visits to historical sites beyond Petra.” With many Hollywood films such as ‘Dune’ shot in Jordan: “We are also engaging Bollywood for film shoots,” he added.

RJ resumed direct flights between Amman and Damascus after 13-years on 31 Jan following the end of the Syrian Civil War in December 2024. The four-weekly service compliments current daily bus routes between Amman Airport and Syria.

RJs recent new twice-weekly flight to Washington Dulles, its fifth destination in North America, will offer connectivity to RJ’s catchment in the Levant region. United Airlines stopped flying to Amman from Washington last year.