AMMAN, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Royal Jordanian (RJ) Airlines, Jordan's national flag carrier, has reported on Thursday significant operational impacts due to regional airspace restrictions amid ongoing Middle East tensions, though it maintains approximately 70 percent of its network functionality.
According to RJ statements and reports from Jordan's state-run Al Mamlaka TV, the carrier continues to operate regularly to destinations with open airspace, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, Europe, and North America. However, flights to Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Damascus remain suspended.
To ensure safety, the airline has rerouted flights southward via Egyptian airspace, avoiding western and northern conflict zones.
According to the statement, these alternative paths have increased flight durations by approximately 30 minutes, resulting in a surge in fuel consumption and insurance costs.
Consequently, ticket fares have risen by 100 to 150 percent across global carriers, including RJ, to cover these additional overheads.
The airline characterized the current environment as a "difficult equation," as it faces a sharp decline in bookings and travel demand amid regional uncertainty.
To mitigate the impact on passengers, RJ has activated flexible booking policies, offered refunds, and provided ground transport support for travelers from Syria and Iraq to maintain customer confidence during the crisis. ■
