Royal Jordanian Looks at New Cargo Markets

Royal Jordanian Airlines is exploring additional freight markets across the Middle East and East Africa as it looks to develop its cargo business. As the national carrier of the Kingdom of Jordan, the airline is responsible for around 40 per cent of freight imports to and 60 per cent of exports from the country via Queen Alia International Airport, the main air transport gateway.

At the end of last year Royal Jordanian inaugurated a new dedicated cargo link to the Austrian capital Vienna on a weekly basis. The initial success of the route will see the introduction of a second weekly rotation from May 2012 and a third from November 2012, according to the airline’s Vice President Caro Sales and Services, Muath Majali. “The new route is witnessing increased improvement, with large amounts of cargo coming to the country from Eastern Europe,” he added.

According to Muath Majali, the airline is conducting feasibility studies to start cargo operations to Tripoli, Benghazi and Misrata, in Libya, and Nairobi in Kenya, as it seeks to transport Jordanian exports such as vegetables, fruits and medicines to contribute to increasing the country’s gross domestic product.