Jordanian plans on keeping up expansion

JORDANIAN FLAG carrier Royal Jordanian staged a solid recovery in profits for 1995 and plans to keep expansion moving over the next year.

Operating profits rose by around $14 million to reach $34 million in 1995, helped by a 4.5% growth in passenger traffic, says the company's president, Nader Dhahabi. Freight grew by 43%. The airline is aiming for a 12% increase in passenger traffic in 1996 and another 13% rise in freight and mail.

Royal Jordanian has struggled to reverse the damaging effects of the 1991 Gulf War, and is now aiming to capitalise on the Middle East peace dividend. It is close to opening a Tel Aviv office and has chosen Galilee Tours as its representative in Israel. The airline is still dogged by heavy debts, however, which now total $705 million.

Source: Flight International