RJ registers JD4.3 million in net profit in first quarter of 2005

President and CEO Samer Majali attributed the noticeable growth witnessed by RJ to the passengers' satisfaction and the improved air and ground services. He pointed out that RJ transported 643,700 passengers during the January-May period of this year, 3.5 per cent higher than the corresponding period of last year.

Majali said the operational situation of the company is improving, and predicted that the number of passengers would increase by 10-15 per cent during this summer, noting that 91 extra flights are scheduled in the coming three months, mainly to Gulf countries. Moreover, 74 charter flights are to be operated to many attractive tourist destinations, such as Anatolia in Turkey, Varna in Bulgaria, Barcelona in Spain, Bergamo and Palermo in Italy, Sharm El Sheikh, Malta and others. In November 2005, RJ will add a new destination, to Milan, Italy, operating a biweekly service.

Majali said that the airline has increased the frequency of its flights to some of its destinations: RJ's service to New York increased to five from four times a week. It is also operating four weekly non-stop flights to Chicago, and two non-stop flights to Detroit a week. Due to the growing demand for flights to the Gulf countries, Royal Jordanian increased its service to Kuwait to daily flights instead of six a week, to Riyadh and Dammam to three flights weekly each instead of two, and to Jeddah to six flights a week instead of four. He added that Royal

Jordanian will increase its number of flights to Geneva, Zurich and Moscow to three, instead of the current two, weekly.

"The results of the first quarter of 2005 are satisfactory; however, RJ has been facing several challenges that resulted in a decline in the net profit, most significant being the surge in fuel prices," said Majali. This rise is expected to add JD10 million to the budget allotted for fuel this year. As a result, and in order to contribute with not more than 10 per cent to the company's increased payment for fuel, a slight fuel surcharge is added to the ticket.