By Mewati Sitaram
Royal Jordanian Airlines is set to make a comeback to India after nearly a decade, marking its renewed focus on enhancing trade and tourism ties between the two nations. The airline will introduce non-stop flights from Amman to Mumbai starting April 17, followed by services to Delhi from September 17. Both routes will operate four times a week using Airbus A320neo aircraft.
This marks the airline’s return to India since ceasing operations in 2015. The relaunch is part of Jordan’s broader strategy to diversify its inbound travel markets. While the country has traditionally attracted tourists from Europe and the United States for religious and wellness tourism, regional tensions have recently led to a 6% decline in tourist arrivals.
To address this, Royal Jordanian Airlines is collaborating with the Jordan Tourism Board to tap into India’s growing outbound travel market. “India will be a key driver of our growth strategy in Asia,” said Karim Makhlouf, Chief Commercial Officer of the airline. The airline aims to target primarily point-to-point traffic between India and Jordan, with connecting passengers to Europe and the U.S. serving as an added advantage.
Makhlouf revealed ambitious growth plans, aiming to carry 40,000 passengers from India in the first year and doubling that figure to 80,000 by the second year.
“India and Jordan share strong historical ties,” said Yousef Abdelghani, Jordan’s ambassador to India. “Jordan is a peaceful country with immense potential for trade and tourism. We welcome Indian tourists and are eager to explore new opportunities in tourism and the IT sector.”
This move signals Jordan’s intent to strengthen its economic and cultural exchanges with India, positioning the country as a safe and attractive destination for Indian travelers and investors alike.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
