Distinguished services are mark of real competition - Majali

During a speech he delivered at the airport services managers' conference, held at Le Meridien, Amman on May 4, 2008, Majali underlined that what gives a competitive edge to airlines are premium services and courteous dealings with passengers.

He pointed out the various training programs the airline conducts for its employees and front line staff in the area of passenger services at all stages of travel.

He stressed the need to exert intense efforts to face the cutthroat competition expected to prevail due to the open skies policy, removing the rights of exclusivity and disrupting regulations that used to restrict airlines from working freely.

RJ favors competition based on fair and equitable rules among the airlines, which has its privileges, but competition also means reducing or abolishing taxes on tickets, and that, particularly in light of the steep rise in fuel prices, constitutes a big burden on airlines that are self dependant.

The airline also believes in making travel popular among all categories of the society.

Majali voiced confidence in the airline's and its employees' capability to confront the challenges ahead and transform them into opportunities for growth.

Majali expressed satisfaction with the results the company achieved last year, when it tripled the 2006 profits, reaching revenues in excess of half a billion dinars.

He said that the financial and operational results of the first quarter of this year are promising.

Last year was a historic turnover for the airline; this year, it joined forces with giant airlines in the oneworld airline alliance and 71% of its shares were transferred to the private sector, signaling the most efficient, successful privatization process ever.

The process reflects the distinguished position the company enjoys and the environment which is propitious to attracting investment in the country.

RJ started constructing new headquarters in Amman, based on a sophisticated architectural design, and a modern, comfortable and luxurious lounge at Queen Alia International Airport for Business Class passengers, consistent with the plan of modernization and expansion of the airport that started recently.

Majali expressed hope that the Aeroports de Paris consortium, responsible for the modernization of Queen Alia International Airport, will do its utmost during the revamping of the infrastructure to least affect the movement of passengers between terminals, and facilitate travel and aircraft parking in the ramp, particularly in view of the increase in frequency of flights operated by RJ and other airlines operating at the airport.

Head of passenger services department at Royal Jordanian Muath Majali praised the essential role of airport services managers in achieving the goals of the airline and providing all facilities to ease travel for passengers by applying international regulations and instructions in this field.

He reviewed the strategic objectives and the plan of the Passenger Services Department that are in harmony with the vision and mission of Royal Jordanian and which aim at boosting the concept of excellence in services provided to travelers, investors, the company staff and the Jordanian community.

Muath Majali stressed the airline's response to the requirements of ISO certificates and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), and said that it will continue to hold training programs to refine the skills of the employees and enhance their knowledge in various fields, especially about services provided to passengers onboard.

Muath Majali mentioned that RJ executed all projects launched by IATA and aiming at simplifying travel among which are 100% electronic ticketing, Internet booking, common use self-service check-in, bar coded boarding passes and implementing the e-freight system.

He also called on the participants to exert more effort and cooperation and serve the interests of passengers.

Vice President/ Marketing, Sales and Services Hussein Dabbas said the success of airlines depends on their ability to satisfy passengers, maintain their loyalty and attract new passengers, all through excellent services on ground and in the air.

The airline should promptly respond to the demands and needs of the passengers before these change into moral and material problems for the company, said Dabbas, pointing out that all training programs offered by Royal Jordanian to its employees are based on this rule.

He said that the competitive edge of Royal Jordanian improved remarkably between 2005 and 2007 as a result of the modern IT systems introduced to ease travel, implement e-ticketing and Internet booking.

The airline also recently introduced new aircraft, distinguished by the means of entertainment and luxury offered passengers.

Expanding the route network by joining the oneworld airline alliance has played a key role in attracting more passengers who prefer to fly RJ for the conveniences offered.

A number of vice presidents and heads of departments delivered speeches at the conference, reviewing marketing and administrative capabilities they can provide for the airport services managers to accomplish the top goals of the airline.

The day before the conference, the participants attended several training workshops during which they got acquainted with the latest developments in the global air transport industry, especially security measures at airports, air and ground safety, electronic tickets and other programs used in dealing with passengers.