Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) has announced the launch of new non-stop flights connecting Amman with Mumbai in June and New Delhi in September 2025. Karim Makhlouf, Chief Commercial Officer, Royal Jordanian, shares more about the airline’s exciting plans for India and its efforts to promote Jordan as a unique boutique destination for travellers.
RJ previously operated flights between Amman and Delhi until 2014, when it ceased operations due to high operating costs, fierce regional competition, and regional instability. After a hiatus of over a decade, the airline has now announced plans to resume flights to India in 2025.
Shifting Gears for Tourism Growth
RJ has undergone significant transformation over the years. Three years ago, the airline implemented an ambitious growth strategy centred around two key pillars: focusing on tourism to Jordan and developing Amman as a leading gateway in the Levant region within the Middle East.
Opening new destinations from Amman, such as London Stansted, Manchester, Berlin, and Moscow, aligns with this strategy to boost tourism into Jordan. “Our newly developed ‘Explore Jordan’ brand has been instrumental in showcasing the variety and attractiveness of Jordan. In 2024, we welcomed the first five brand-new Embraer E2 jets, which have enhanced the customer experience and supported our sustainable operations,” shares Karim.
Strengthening Focus on India and Asia
Building on its success in promoting tourism to Jordan and establishing Amman as a key gateway, the airline is set to pivot its focus towards Asia in 2025. Karim explains, “Launching new routes from Amman to Mumbai and New Delhi is a key part of our strategy. We are particularly focused on attracting Indian tourists and positioning Jordan as a unique boutique tourism destination for the Indian market.”
Karim elaborates on their India operations, “Royal Jordanian aims to double the number of Indian tourists visiting Jordan in the next two years, from 70,000 to over 140,000. To achieve this, we will start with four weekly flights from Amman to Mumbai in June, followed by flights to New Delhi. I foresee daily services by 2026. Additionally, we are connecting all major cities in India through our interline cooperation with Air India to our new nonstop flights to Jordan.”
Comfort, Innovation and Flexibility
As a full-service airline with 61 years of history and a pioneer in the Middle East, RJ has consistently maintained a strong focus on delivering exceptional customer service at every stage of the journey. On their brand-new A320neo aircraft, along with new leather seats, RJ offers Wi-Fi and inflight entertainment programmes in both Economy and Crown Class and an exceptional onboard dining experience. On another note, Karim adds, “We are a travel agent-friendly airline and highly flexible with our tour operator booking conditions, which align with our focus on tourism. In a nutshell, we are a boutique airline, representing and promoting Jordan as a unique boutique destination.”
Positioning Amman: A Leading Gateway to the Levant
The Levant region, home to over 120 million people in the Middle East, makes Amman a key gateway for travellers looking for a unique destination such as Jordan. The airline also offers seamless connectivity to more than 48 destinations across the globe. Karim explains, “Our strategy focuses primarily on tourism into Jordan, offering a unique differentiation from other airlines and serving as a key driver for our ambitious growth plans. By 2026, we aim for an average fleet age of under three years, which is crucial for our boutique product positioning and efficient operations.”
Looking ahead to 2025, RJ is planning to grow by 25 plus per cent, which, according to Karim, they are likely to achieve with the opening of significant new markets, such as India in Asia and Washington in the US. Karim adds, “The introduction of nearly 20 new aircraft within the next one and a half years is the main priority, which will be the base and fundamental for our sustainable growth. Amman will continue to grow as a connecting hub, while Jordan remains a fascinating tourist destination with strong growth potential.”
Promoting Eco-Friendly Travel
While the airline remains committed to sustainability and eco-friendly operations, Karim highlights that its fleet renewal and expansion, including the A320 Neo family and E2 Embraer jets for narrow-body routes, alongside the new Boeing B787-9 for long-haul flights, will reduce its carbon footprint by over 32 per cent within the next three years.
 has announced the launch of new non-stop flights connecting Amman with Mumbai in June and New Delhi in September 2025. Karim Makhlouf, Chief Commercial Officer, Royal Jordanian, shares more about the airline’s exciting plans for India and its efforts to promote Jordan as a unique boutique destination for travellers.){kind=link}