LONDON – Jordanian carrier Royal Jordanian already have an extensive fleet of aircraft, but recently announced they’d be introducing a well-known aircraft to the fleet, the aircraft being the Airbus A320neo.
The A320neo is a great choice in terms of fleet replacement and will suit the short and medium-haul operations of the carrier. Royal Jordanian is aiming to fully rebuild its fleet, and the A320neo isn’t the only thing new.
Entering the coming years
On October 2nd, Jordan carrier Royal Jordanian came to an agreement with aircraft manufacturer Airbus, for 20 factories of new Airbus A320neo, which are set to replace Royal Jordanian’s fleet of 13 Airbus A320ceos. This purchase falls in line with the carrier’s plan to modernize its aircraft fleet of narrow-body aircraft.
The overhauled fleet of A320neos is to be used in service to Royal Jordanian’s core destinations in Africa, the Middle East and Europe and will be delivered over the next few years.
Royal Jordanian Chief Executive Officer Salem Malaji, said the following on the agreement:- “The A320neo aircraft family is the best choice for fleet replacement and growth for Royal Jordanian in the coming few years for its core short and medium range operations.”
Royal Jordanian Chief Executive Officer Salem Malaji, said the choice of Airbus A320neo comes after careful consideration and comprehensive feasibility studies, where the A320neo showed itself as a great candidate due to its environmentally friendly engines, and aerodynamically advanced Sharklets. On top of this, the A320neo features Airbus’s Airspace Cabin.
Discussions with Boeing
In addition to this, CEO Salem Malaji also explained they were in negotiations with Boeing to further expand the wide-body fleet, saying:- “Negotiations with Boeing are also ongoing, for RJ to grow its B787 wide-bodied fleet in the same time frame followed by the replacement of its current fleet.”
As the airline is aiming to rebuild its entire fleet of aircraft and if negotiations go through, Royal Jordanian are to add a potential 4 new Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, and maybe the Dreamliner -9 and -10, as the airline is currently eyeing the longer versions of the aircraft type.
As of today, Royal Jordanian operates a fleet of 7 Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, meaning the potential addition would set their 787-8 fleet size to 11 aircraft of the type.
Replacement for the regional fleet
With the upcoming introduction of the Airbus A320neo aircraft, and the negotiations with Boeing to further enhance the carrier’s wide-body fleet, the remaining part for the carrier is to enhance their regional fleet, which currently consists of Embraer E-175s and Embraer E-195s.
The additions are expected to begin in the second half of next year, introducing new regional aircraft which will expand the airlines’ flexibility and increase their flight frequencies.
Overall
Royal Jordanian seem to be pushing every corner of their fleet at once and is acting very serious about the fleet enhancement. As the deal with Airbus is secured, the deal remaining now is with Boeing for an increased wide-body fleet which will help the carrier increase its long-haul frequency.
On the regional part, the selected jets remain behind locked doors, and though unconfirmed, speculation as to what would be a great addition to their E-jet regional fleet would be the E2 series of the aircraft.
Times are getting interesting for the carrier, and it will be interesting to see the expansion the fleet expansion will give the airline.
