AMMAN -- Royal Jordanian (RJ) announced on Wednesday that it will add seven EMBRAER 195 aircraft to its fleet over the next two years, with the first to be delivered in October.
RJ President and CEO Samer Majali and Embraer Executive Vice President Frederico Fleury Curado yesterday signed the contract for the acquisition, which is set to boost RJ's frequency and operational network.
"This is a historic day and a qualitative shift for a modest airline like RJ, as it introduces a completely new and modern set of aircraft to its fleet," said Majali.
"Embraer's new generation EMBRAER 195s will provide RJ with the ability to truly develop Amman as a hub for the region, increase frequency and enter new routes at the lowest possible cost," he added.
According to Majali, the national carrier plans to use the new planes on routes from Amman to more than 11 countries including destinations across North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
In particular, they will boost RJ's short haul flight operations within the region to countries such as Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Turkey and Cyprus and other locations within two hours of the airline's flight range.
Majali said RJ purchased four of the aircraft directly through a capital lease from banks, while the three remaining aircraft were leased.
Curado yesterday commended RJ's selection of Embraer to join its fleet as an important strategic step for the airline's development and its financial performance.
"RJ's decision to select the EMBRAER 195 makes the choice even more satisfying and honouring for Embraer," said Curado.
"Embraer's E-Jets family offers a flexibility that enables a rapid adaptation to a market that is constantly evolving, as in the case of the Middle East," he added.
The EMBRAER 195s acquired by RJ will be configured to carry 100 passengers in a two-class layout, with 12 crown class seats and 88 economy class seats.
According to Majali, RJ also placed a $40 million order for CF34-10E engines to power four EMBRAER 195 aircraft, with delivery scheduled in 2007 and 2008.
The CF34-10, produced by General Electric Company-Aviation provides airlines with better performance, higher reliability, easier maintainability and the lowest overall cost of ownership.
Regional Director of Sales for GE-Aviation Mohammad Ezz El-Din said the engine would provide RJ with "the right combination of reliability and operational economics to help the airline maintain a profitable operation long-term."
RJ's new acquisition is also an important strategic step in its mission to boost its operations on a worldwide scale as the time nears for its joining the world's largest airline alliances.
RJ is currently in the process of joining oneworld, an important partnership in the global aviation industry, by the end of this year. It is the first carrier from an Arab region to join any of the global airline groupings, expanding oneworld's presence in the Middle East and Gulf.
Majali said RJ's acquisition of the new aircraft would help expand the airline's network to other areas and join other networks with other airlines in oneworld.
RJ gained ownership of two Airbus 310 aircraft in 2004 after the period for their capital lease came to end and recently added two Bombardier Q400s to its fleet.
By the end of 2008, with the addition of the seven new aircraft, RJ will have a total of 28 planes.
The airline aims to increase its fleet to around 35 aircraft.
As the first Arab airline to join oneworld, RJ is the launch customer in the Middle East for the EMBRAER 195, which is set to receive its type certification in mid-2006.
Meanwhile, RJ signed an agreement with HITIT Computer Services in Istanbul, Turkey, last week to use the CRANE frequent flyer system to enhance the airline's Royal Plus Frequent Flyer Programme.
The system, set to be implemented in June, is also one of the requirements for joining oneworld.
It is designed to improve dealings with passengers and the services offered by the company, as well as meet frequent flyers' needs on flight information, luggage and follow-up on the various rewards the programme offers customers.
About Embraer
Based in Brazil, Embraer is currently the world's leading manufacturer of commercial jets with up to 110 seats.
The company has 36 years of experience in designing, manufacturing, selling and supporting aircraft for the global airline industry, defence and business aviation markets and has a major customer-base of world class airlines.
It has produced and delivered more than 900 Embraer jets to more than 30 airlines in 20 countries, including Alitalia, Delta Airlines and Swiss Airlines.
The Embraer 195 is one of four members of a new family of jets manufactured by the company; the Embraer 170/190 family, which seats from 70 to 118 passengers.
At the end of December 2005, 118 units of this new family of aircraft were delivered to airlines in Europe, the Middle East, North and Central America and Asia.
The Embraer 170/190 family orderbook totalled 440 firm orders and 362 options.
By Dalya Dajani
© Jordan Times 2006
