ROYAL JORDANIAN : RJ ! RJA !

Royal Jordanian Airlines is intending to decide within a couple of months whether to lease Boeing 777-200 or Airbus A330-200 aircraft as a replacement for its Airbus A310s.
It is considering acquiring three aircraft, on three- or four-year leases, to carry out a one-for-one replacement.
Royal Jordanian's new chief executive, Hussein Dabbas, detailed the plan to Air Transport Intelligence during the Arab Air Carriers Organization conference in Jeddah.
He says the airline has had to rethink its interim fleet strategy after the delays to the Boeing 787 programme, which have pushed back Royal Jordanian's deliveries to 2013.

Dabbas says the airline is "in discussions with Boeing and Airbus, and lessors" over a possible 777 or A330 lease, adding that the alternative is to retain the three passenger A310s for a longer period.
The carrier is already planning to refurbish the interiors on its A340 long-haul fleet from September-October 2010, having signed an agreement with Sicma.
Royal Jordanian is planning a route to Mosul next year, expanding further its services to Iraq, as well as the holy city of Medina in Saudi Arabia. Dabbas also identifies Johannesburg as a candidate destination for the airline.

On May 21, 2010, two new Airbus A330s will join the Royal Jordanian fleet to serve the growing number of
flights to the Far East destinations and the London route

Royal Jordanian Airlines yesterday took delivery of two new 283-seat A330-200s to service its long- and medium-range routes to London, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.

The aircraft were acquired following a two-year delay in delivery for its 11 787 Dreamliners, RJ President and CEO Hussein Dabbas said, which now are slated to join the fleet in 2013.

The first aircraft will leave for London on June 1 and the second will depart the next day for Kuala Lumpur, resuming
thrice-weekly service to the Malaysian capital.

Dublin-based lessor AWAS today announced the lease of 7 new Airbus aircraft to Royal Jordanian to replace 6 Airbus aircraft currently operating in the fleet.

The replacement consists of 4 A320s and 2 A321s and an additional A320 to be assimilated into the fleet.

The first delivery is scheduled for April of next year when 3 A320s will join the fleet, while 2 A321s and 2 A320s will follow in 2012.

The replacement aims to introduce new amenities and improve services offered to passengers on board Royal Jordanian aircraft, particularly in the field of In-flight entertainment (IFE).

The newly-manufactured airliners are to be equipped with a state of the art entertainment system with more efficient technical features in order to provide a seamless travel experience.

Being new and modern, the new aircraft are bound to save the airline maintenance and operational costs.

“This order underlines our continued commitment to fleet modernisation and expansion which allows us to offer our
passengers the highest level of comfort and an extensive choice of routes.” Mr Hussein H. Dabbas, President & CEO of Royal Jordanian, stated “sourcing these aircraft from AWAS gives us the flexibility to more easily tailor our fleet to
the needs of the market.”

“It is with great pride that we announce this deal with Royal Jordanian, the delivery of these seven Airbus aircraft will
make them one of our largest customers.” said Franklin Pray, President & CEO of AWAS,

“In recent months we have seen a lot of movement from leading airlines, such as Royal Jordanian, to secure attractive deals on our pipeline aircraft.

The number of slots remaining for 2011/2012 is now limited. We see this as a very positive sign in the market.”

Boeing, Royal Jordanian Sign Order for Three Additional 787 Dreamliners

Boeing and Royal Jordanian, the national carrier of Jordan, today signed an order for three 787-8s at the Farnborough International Airshow. The order is valued at approximately $500 million at list prices. This order previously was attributed to an unidentified customer.
Direct purchases and leases combined, Royal Jordanian has committed to 11 787-8s. The Middle East carrier placed its first orders for four 787s in 2007 and also has arranged to lease two airplanes each from CIT Aerospace and International Lease Finance Co.
Royal Jordanian was the first airline in the Middle East to order the 787 Dreamliner. It will place the 787 on North American routes initially, including New York, Chicago, Detroit and Toronto. Royal Jordanian has cited the 787's performance versatility and impressive economics as the main reasons behind its decision to replace its medium- and long-haul twin-aisle fleet solely with the 787.
"The superior economics and range capability of the 787 will allow us to competitively serve North America and other destinations in our network from Amman," said Hussein Dabbas, president and CEO of Royal Jordanian. "The unique passenger appeal of the 787 will enable us to provide a competitive advantage in the markets we serve."
"This commitment to the 787 by Royal Jordanian will allow for expanded routes and a customer experience second to none," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "With the 787, Royal Jordanian will operate the world's most advanced and efficient twin-aisle airplane. We will work closely with Royal Jordanian as the airplane prepares to enter service and delight passengers."
Based in Amman, Jordan, Royal Jordanian became a member of the oneworld alliance in 2007.

Royal Jordanian 787 delivery pushed nearly four years

Amman-based Royal Jordanian Airlines says it will receive its first of 11 Boeing 787s in 2014, almost four years after it initially intended.
According to an announcement on the carrier's xxxxx page, the airline will receive its first thre 787-8 aircraft in 2014, followed by the remaining eight in 2016 and 2017.
Previously, the carrier anticipated receiving its first 787 arriving in August 2013.
Royal Jordanian placed its first 787 order in December 2006, and planned to receive its first General Electric GEnx-1B-powered 787 in 2010, making it Middle East launch customer for the engine. But Qatar Airways now assumes that title, taking its first GEnx-powered 787 in March 2012.
Royal Jordanian ordered an additional three 787s during the 2010 Farnborough air show, which replaced a previous order held with 787 lessor LCAL, which later cancelled 16 of the 21 aircraft it had on order. Two of the carrier's 787s will be leased from CIT and another two from ILFC, while a total of seven will be purchased directly from Boeing.
The 787 aircraft are intended to replace Royal Jordanian's aging Airbus A310s and A340s.
Programme delays have added more than three years to the originally planned May 2008 787 entry into service with Japan's All Nippon Airways, now targeted for the third quarter.