Pope leaves Amman on an Royal Jordanian flight

Pope Benedict XVI left Amman on May 11 on a Royal Jordanian flight at the end of his four-day visit to Jordan, upon the invitation of His Majesty King Abdallah II.

Royal Jordanian President/CEO Samer Majali expressed satisfaction with the Pontiff's selection of RJ, the oneworld carrier.

He stressed that the company has made all the arrangements to facilitate the flight in a way that befits the proper global position of the Pope and the international public respect he enjoys.

The visit, which is the first to the Middle East since his election in April 2005, was of great importance and is set to boost coexistence and religious tolerance among people. It was also seen as an excellent opportunity to enhance Jordan’s image as a hub of religious tourism and host of sacred sites.

Majali said that the company dedicated for the occasion one of its most modern aircraft that recently joined the fleet. "The aircraft provides for His Holiness and the delegation accompanying him state-of-the-art comfort levels and the best technologies that all RJ aircraft enjoy," a spokeperson said.

RJ concluded its short- and medium-range fleet modernization program in March 2009.

This is the second time that Royal Jordanian has transported a Pope on board its aircraft. T^he first was when Pope John Paul II flew onboard an RJ plane in March 2000.