Bombardier Q400 joins RJ fleet

The airline has contracted to acquire two Q400s, through a leasing agreement with the Canadian Bombardier Aerospace, to operate on short-haul routes under the RJ Xpress brand. The second aircraft will join RJ in December.

Adding the Q400 is in line with RJ's strategic plan, set up with a view to modernizing its fleet and focusing on serving regional destinations. The 74-passenger, 360-knot (667km/h) Q400 aircraft is among the newest and most modern turboprop aircraft. Royal Jordanian is to operate this aircraft on its regional routes which include Damascus, Aleppo, Tel Aviv, Aqaba, Sharm El Sheikh and Al Arish.

The digital controls, powerful engines and all air safety requirements make the Q400 a highly advanced aircraft. With its noise and vibration reduction system, passengers can enjoy a quiet journey, in addition to affordable and frequent air service. The aircraft has the comfort, speed and technology of a jet, but at turboprop costs.

Bombardier Inc. is based in Canada and employs more than 70,000 people on five continents. Its products include both business and regional aircraft, as well as rail. One thousand five hundred airliners operate regionally in over 70 countries worldwide.

RJ's plan, which concentrates on serving the regional network, has required transferring Royal Wings' operations, from Marka airport, to Royal Jordanian, at QAIA. This way, the regional jets will easily feed the bigger ones that serve the international network, while Royal Wings will be dedicated to charter business, using Airbus 320s.

Royal Jordanian currently operates 24 aircraft. They include Airbus 310, Airbus 320, Airbus 321, Airbus 340, Dash 8, Dash 4, Fokker 28 and Q400. The airline's fleet will reach around 35 aircraft in the coming three years.