Royal Jordanian, the flag carrier of Jordan, plans to boost air transportation between Jordan and the African continent.

The statement came from RJ president and CEO Hussein Dabbas who said that the move is expected to help both RJ and the tourism sector in the kingdom benefit from the tourism potential in some major countries in the west and east of Africa.

The plan, Dabbas mentioned, is for RJ to open four new destinations in Africa. It will start by inaugurating regular flights to Lagos, the economic and financial capital of Nigeria, by the end of November.

The studies that the airline conducted showed that it is feasible to inaugurate routes to Accra, capital of Ghana; Nairobi, capital of Kenya; and Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia.

“These four additions to the existing 59 global destinations constitute a real leap in Royal Jordanian’s volume of air transport. The step will also support the national efforts that aim at enhancing Jordan’s position as a gateway to the Middle East and a conduit that connects this region to the whole world.”

The airline’s endeavor to open these stations is in line with its expansion strategy, necessary in view of the regression of travel witnessed in the traditional markets of Europe and North America, said Dabbas.

The RJ president pointed out that connecting Amman with these African cities is bound to attract a large number of tourists to the kingdom, particularly Muslim pilgrims who wish to continue their flights to Makkah and Medinah, in Saudi Arabia, and Christians, who come to Jordan to visit the baptism site and other holy sites. Transit travelers can use Queen Alia International Airport as a hub for their travel to the east.

The company will operate the wide-bodied, 280-seat airbus A330s to Lagos, while the narrow-body A320s will function on the other three routes. – TradeArabia News Service