Berlin back on the RJ route network starting June next year

Amman, November 30, 2010: Royal Jordanian announced that it will re-open direct, regular service between Amman and Berlin on June 2, 2011.

Service to the German capital resumes 10 years after having suspended, in 2000, as studies showed a weak economic feasibility of operating to Berlin, a service first started in 1992.

RJ President/CEO Hussein Dabbas stressed that the decision to resume service to Berlin is based on economic considerations: there is growth in demand for travel between the Jordanian and German capitals, mainly due to the increased movement of tourists from Germany to the kingdom. At the same time, progress is seen in the exports industry and commercial activities, which increases demand for travel by businessmen and citizens of the two countries.

Dabbas said the airline will flights to Berlin on the Airbus A320 family aircraft at a first stage, in addition operate two weekly to the three weekly flights to Munich, which started in 2001, and daily flights to Frankfurt, started in 1970.

Dabbas said that the German capital is the 59th destination for RJ. It is considered one of the most dynamic and major European capitals, and an attraction for Middle Eastern tourists.

The RJ president mentioned that once Air Berlin joins the oneworld airline alliance, set for early 2012, RJ passengers will be able to continue their flights beyond Berlin in the European continent. The all-new Berlin Brandenburg International airport will be operative weeks after Air Berlin becomes member in the alliance.

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Dabbas added that RJ is constantly reviewing its route network, in line with its policy of gradual expansion; its direct destinations increase by approximately two new routes a year. In 2010, RJ added Madinah, in Saudi Arabia, and Kuala Lumpur, in Malaysia, to its destinations. New routes are under study, for the possibility of being added during the coming two years.

The company is operating a fleet of 30 modern aircraft that meet the needs of its regional, medium- and long-range routes. Throughout this year, RJ added three newly manufactured aircraft: two Airbus A330s to serve the long- and medium-haul destinations and an Embraer 175, which joins the other seven regional Embraer jets that cover the Middle East routes.

According to Dabbas, the A320 family aircraft that will function on the Berlin route are new and offer distinguished amenities to passengers, especially the in-flight entertainment system, which provides a personal in-seat screen to all passengers.

The flights to Berlin will depart from Amman on Mondays and Thursdays. On Mondays, it departs at 7:40 am and arrives in Berlin at 11:10 am. It takes off from Berlin at 12 noon and lands in Amman at 17:15 pm. On Thursdays, the plane departs from Amman at 10:30 am and reaches Berlin at 14:00 pm. It leaves Berlin at 14:45 pm and arrives in Amman at 20:00 pm.

Founded in the 13th century, Berlin has had an eventful history. Excavations from 2008 suggest that the city may be even older than was previously assumed.

It is located in northeastern Germany on an 892 km2 area, and is one of Germany’s largest cities, with a population of 3.4 million people. Since the German reunification on October 3, 1990, Berlin has been one of the three city states, together with Hamburg and Bremen, among the present sixteen states of Germany.

Berlin is a world city of culture, politics, media and science. Its economy is primarily based on the services sector, encompassing a diverse range of creative industries, media corporations, congress and convention venues. Berlin serves as a continental hub for air and rail transport, and is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the EU. Significant industries include IT, pharmaceuticals, biomedical engineering, biotechnology, optoelectronics, traffic engineering and renewable energy.

The metropolis is home to 30 renowned colleges and universities, 170 museums, 51 theatres, in addition to numerous research institutes, sporting events, orchestras and personalities.