Royal Jordanian announces 40% passenger rise over last year

This means that the seat factor rose by 11.5 points to reach 73.2%, against 61.7% during the corresponding period last year.

Departures and flying hours also witnessed an increase in October this year over last year, by 26.3% and 23.8% respectively. The airline operated 2,443 departures in October this year, compared to 1,934 departures in October 2006, and flying hours increased from 5,520 in October last year to 6,833 in the same month this year. Additionally, aircraft utilisation for the month rose from 9 hours per day to 10.3 hours per day, marking a 14.3% increase.

Dabbas said that although October was a month with limited air traffic, the remarkable progress in RJ services has led to such good results, particularly the improvement of the on-time performance, food and beverage menus and entertainment on board.

Moreover, the newly manufactured aircraft that RJ has introduced to its fleet enjoy state-of-the-art amenities, which lead to high level of comfort and entertainment. Among these facilities are a comfortable seat pitch and personal video for each Economy and Crown Class passenger.

Dabbas underlined that the airline is in the process of completing its fleet modernisation program for the long, medium and short-haul routes.

He also said that RJ's membership in the oneworld airline alliance has broadened its route network, from 54 to 700 international destinations, served by the alliance's members. Passengers can now fly from Amman to any of these destinations with one stop only on any of the oneworld member airlines. The oneworld alliance brings together some of the biggest names in the airline industry, among which American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines.

Dabbas concluded that Royal Jordanian added two important destinations to its route map last year, Montreal and Budapest. There are also plans to open a gateway for Jordan to the People's Republic of China on January 22, 2008, when it will start operating regular three-weekly service to Hong Kong, passing via Bangkok.