In an exclusive interview with Vishal Kashyap, Managing Editor of Aviation World, Karim Makhlouf, Chief Commercial Officer(CCO), Royal Jordanian Airlines, outlines the carrier’s forward-looking commercial strategy. From aggressive fleet expansion and modernization to steering the airline back into profitability despite complex geopolitical headwinds, Karim Makhlouf breaks down the definitive factors driving Jordan’s national carrier into a new era. Excerpts:
AW: For Aviation sector Q2 2026 is highly challenging. What strategies did you adapted to keep your airlines flying and maintain operational performance intact in line with the previous quarter?
KM : Throughout the recent geopolitical challenges, Royal Jordanian remained one of the very few airlines in the region to operate consistently. Through close coordination with the Jordanian Government and the Armed Forces, we secured dedicated flight corridors that enabled us to maintain safe and reliable operations while prioritising the safety of our passengers and crew.
Our ability to maintain uninterrupted services during this period strengthened passenger confidence in the airline and reinforced our reputation as a reliable carrier. Despite the challenging operating environment, our commercial performance remained in line with our budget expectations, reflecting the resilience of our business and the dedication of our teams.
AW: How do you assess the regional uncertainty and confusion impacting the airlines operational efficiency in future?
KM :We believe the most challenging period is now behind us, and the outlook for the months ahead is encouraging. Booking trends for the summer season and beyond continue to show positive momentum, with stable demand across our network.
While we remain mindful of the evolving regional environment, we are optimistic about the future. Supported by resilient demand, a flexible operating model, and our continued focus on delivering a reliable travel experience, we are confident in our ability to sustain recovery and drive long-term growth.
AW: What are the new routes that Royal Jordanian has launched in the recent times? What are the plans for year ahead?
KM :Over the past four years, Royal Jordanian has significantly expanded its network by launching 28 new destinations, including Vienna, Dallas, Tashkent, Alexandria and Trabzon, further strengthening connectivity across Europe, North America, Central Asia and the Middle East.
Looking ahead, we will continue to pursue a disciplined and selective network expansion strategy, focusing on markets that offer strong commercial potential and support inbound tourism to Jordan. At the same time, we remain committed to strengthening our position as the leading carrier in the Levant by enhancing connectivity through our Amman hub and creating greater travel opportunities for both leisure and business travellers.
AW: Royal Jordanian achieved JOD 21.5 million net profit in 2025. What are the factors that led to such rewarding results?
KM :Our strong financial performance in 2025 reflects the successful execution of a long-term transformation strategy focused on building a more agile, efficient and customer-centric airline. Key drivers of this turnaround included restructuring the business, improving aircraft utilisation and increasing seat load factors across our network.
At the same time, we placed tourism at the heart of our commercial strategy while reinforcing Royal Jordanian’s position as the leading network carrier in the Levant. By combining operational efficiency.
( The interview is also published at Aviation World July-August 2026 print edition)
