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RJ: More than an airline
By Khalid Dalal, Sunday Review
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His Majesty King Abdullah’s last week visit to Royal
Jordanian (RJ) put the entire issue of the national carrier, which is facing
difficult challenges just like most airlines around the world after more than
two years of COVID-19 repercussions, in perspective.اضافة اعلان
During the visit, His Majesty reiterated that RJ has a vital role to play in “supporting and revitalizing tourism” and described it as “a major driver of the economic growth”.
During a visit to the Royal Jordanian Airlines headquarters, His Majesty King Abdullah points to the national carrier’s key role in promoting Jordan as a tourist destination. (Photo: Royal Court)
According to a Royal Court statement following the visit, “acknowledging the impact of the COVID pandemic on the airline industry, His Majesty expressed faith in RJ’s ability to overcome challenges and turn obstacles into opportunities”.
We should always look at RJ as an iconic national institution of historical significance and with potential to play a role in the economic rectification drive the King has put on track, as a hand-picked panel of experts are deliberating the most feasible economic roadmap for the country as part of a broader endeavor involving plans to modernize the political system and improve the performance of the public sector.
RJ, accordingly, deserves to be looked at with optimism. There is basis for this, thanks to a five-year plan now in play led by visionary people at the helm of the company.
Majali said RJ in 2021 “was able to reduce its losses by 54 percent, compared with 2020, and increase its operating revenue to reach JD357 million in 2021, from JD213 million in the previous year”.
RJ’s management and potential and the Kingdom’s strategic location, at the heart of the region and a bridge between east and west, leave no doubt as to RJ’s future, which can only be bright.
Jordanian talent led successful airline companies in the region and the world, and is more than willing to do the same to salvage the national carrier and make it soar.
Besides, the government will have a substantial contribution to the expected success of the plan, having announced that it will raise the airline’s capital. This is a wise investment and a push toward a better future for the company, which is 85 per cent owned by the government.
Having said that, the people handling the transformation of RJ must be aware that the Russian-Ukrainian war has already had an adverse impact on the aviation industry worldwide, so plans should be modified to address this additional challenge, which should not, under any circumstances, undermine the hope for a better tomorrow for RJ.
Our national carrier is our best ambassador to the world, and we all need to support it to succeed in its mission. It is a national duty as RJ is more than an airline; it is a story of Jordanian hard work over the past six decades.
Khalid Dalal is a former advisor at the Royal Hashemite Court, a former director of media and communication at the Office of His Majesty King Abdullah, and works currently as a senior advisor for business development at Al-Ghad and Jordan News.
Read more Opinion and Analysis
During the visit, His Majesty reiterated that RJ has a vital role to play in “supporting and revitalizing tourism” and described it as “a major driver of the economic growth”.
During a visit to the Royal Jordanian Airlines headquarters, His Majesty King Abdullah points to the national carrier’s key role in promoting Jordan as a tourist destination. (Photo: Royal Court)
According to a Royal Court statement following the visit, “acknowledging the impact of the COVID pandemic on the airline industry, His Majesty expressed faith in RJ’s ability to overcome challenges and turn obstacles into opportunities”.
We should always look at RJ as an iconic national institution of historical significance and with potential to play a role in the economic rectification drive the King has put on track, as a hand-picked panel of experts are deliberating the most feasible economic roadmap for the country as part of a broader endeavor involving plans to modernize the political system and improve the performance of the public sector.
RJ, accordingly, deserves to be looked at with optimism. There is basis for this, thanks to a five-year plan now in play led by visionary people at the helm of the company.
Our national carrier is our best ambassador to the world, and we all need to support it to succeed in its mission. It is a national duty as RJ is more than an airline; it is a story of Jordanian hard work over the past six decades.RJ CEO Samer Majali said during the King’s visit that the airline’s plan for the future includes reviewing the routes covered, increasing the number of destinations to 60, from the current 35, modernizing the fleet and doubling the number of airplanes from the current 24 to more than 40 within the next five years, and enhancing services.
Majali said RJ in 2021 “was able to reduce its losses by 54 percent, compared with 2020, and increase its operating revenue to reach JD357 million in 2021, from JD213 million in the previous year”.
RJ’s management and potential and the Kingdom’s strategic location, at the heart of the region and a bridge between east and west, leave no doubt as to RJ’s future, which can only be bright.
Jordanian talent led successful airline companies in the region and the world, and is more than willing to do the same to salvage the national carrier and make it soar.
Besides, the government will have a substantial contribution to the expected success of the plan, having announced that it will raise the airline’s capital. This is a wise investment and a push toward a better future for the company, which is 85 per cent owned by the government.
Having said that, the people handling the transformation of RJ must be aware that the Russian-Ukrainian war has already had an adverse impact on the aviation industry worldwide, so plans should be modified to address this additional challenge, which should not, under any circumstances, undermine the hope for a better tomorrow for RJ.
Our national carrier is our best ambassador to the world, and we all need to support it to succeed in its mission. It is a national duty as RJ is more than an airline; it is a story of Jordanian hard work over the past six decades.
Khalid Dalal is a former advisor at the Royal Hashemite Court, a former director of media and communication at the Office of His Majesty King Abdullah, and works currently as a senior advisor for business development at Al-Ghad and Jordan News.
Read more Opinion and Analysis
