Royal Jordanian signs agreement for leasing of 2 Boeing 787 Dreamliner

RJ's President/CEO Samer Majali and Damon J. D'Agostino, senior vice president and chief sales officer at CIT, signed the contract. Naser Lozi, the chairman of RJ's board of directors, was also present.

The agreement includes leasing the two B787s for 12 years from the date of their assimilation in the fleet, in September 2012 and January 2013, to operate on the long-haul routes in North America and the Far East.

Leasing the two aircraft comes in line with the airline's strategy of modernizing its long-range fleet by introducing 12 newly manufactured B787s Dreamliner; four of which RJ contracted to purchase directly from Boeing and which will be delivered in 2013 and 2014. Eight other aircraft from renowned leasing companies will enter service through operational lease.

Recently, RJ contracted with International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) to lease two B787s, to be delivered by the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011, and it will soon sign a contract with the Low-Cost Aircraft Leasing (LCAL) company to lease another three aircraft of the same type.

Royal Jordanian's fleet currently consists of 26 aircraft; 23 are for passenger transportation, two for air freighting and one airliner, operated by Royal Wings, is dedicated for charter flights.

During this year, six modern and newly manufactured airplanes will join the fleet: two Embraer 175s, two Airbus A319s and two Airbus A321s. Two of the latter model currently operative in the fleet will be phased out.