Khaberni - Khaled Al-Hijawi, a member of the Association of Tourism and Travel Agents, said that the aviation sector and ticket prices in Jordan have witnessed unprecedented and substantial increases due to the events happening in the Middle East.
Al-Hijawi, during an interview with "Al-Mamlaka" on Thursday, attributed these increases to the rise in global oil prices, amid the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and regional tensions.
He added that the cost of jet fuel has increased by about 50%, along with an increase in air routes that airlines must take to avoid areas of danger associated with missiles and drones, leading to increased flying hours, fuel consumption, and costs of maintenance and insurance.
He explained that airlines are trying to avoid losses under current conditions by covering their operational expenses without focusing on making a profit, noting that they face high operational costs against a backdrop of decreased passenger numbers.
Royal Jordanian continues its flights despite the regional developments and enhances Jordan's connectivity with the world
The Royal Jordanian Airlines stated on Thursday that it continues to operate flights to various destinations that remain open and safe amid the security developments in the region and the challenges imposed by the regional situation on the aviation sector.
The company affirmed that it is taking a series of precautionary measures to ensure the continuity of its operations according to the highest safety standards, amid the closure or restriction of some airspaces in the region, which forces airlines to adjust some of their flight routes to avoid these airspaces.
Samer Al-Majali, Vice Chairman/CEO of Royal Jordanian, stated that the company is managing its operational activities with caution and flexibility in light of current geopolitical developments, noting that these conditions impose significant operational and financial challenges on Royal Jordanian and the aviation sector in the region in general.
Al-Majali added that the company is facing an increase in operational costs, notably using longer alternative air routes to avoid closed airspaces. He also pointed to the rise in global fuel prices, alongside increased insurance and operating costs, as additional pressure factors on the financial performance of the company.
He indicated that these developments come at a time when the demand for travel is significantly declining, with booking rates and the number of passengers on some routes decreasing due to the uncertainty in the region, in addition to an increase in requests for ticket refunds or changes by passengers affected by the current circumstances, which in turn has a negative effect on the financial liquidity, amidst the exceptional circumstances faced by the aviation sector.
He emphasized that Royal Jordanian continues to manage these challenges through well-considered operational and financial measures aimed at maintaining the continuity of operations and mitigating the impact of the current conditions as much as possible.
Al-Majali clarified that Royal Jordanian will remain the national carrier for Jordanians and will continue to play its role in linking Jordan with various destinations around the world, while maintaining the highest standards of safety and service despite the challenges facing the aviation sector in the region.
