Royal Jordanian (RJ, Amman Queen Alia) has confirmed its plan, outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding last October, to acquire E2s for the renewal of its regional fleet, signing up for four E190-E2s and four E195-E2s with deliveries expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023, Embraer announced.
Under the deal, six of the aircraft - four E190s and two E195s - will come from US-based regional jet lessor Azorra’s existing backlog with Embraer, while two E195s are firm orders with Embraer directly from the airline, which were added to the manufacturer’s fourth-quarter 2022 backlog as 'undisclosed'.
Royal Jordanian did not say whether it still intended to order a total of ten E2s, as was specified in the MOU.
Samer Majali, Jordan’s flag carrier’s vice chairman and chief executive, told the Jordanian public broadcaster Al-Mamlaka on May 18 that the six leased jets come under a 12-year operating lease and that the purchase of the other two was financed by foreign banks. Two aircraft will be put into service in December 2023 and three more during 2024, he said, adding that the new aircraft will be used for short-haul flights to the Gulf countries, Turkey, and Iraq.
He described the aircraft type as “the best fit for [Royal Jordanian’s] financial objectives and network strategy.” He added: “RJ has been operating Embraer aircraft for 15 years, and the E2 reduces the investment cost of pilot training and spare parts provisioning significantly, whilst also lowering crew scheduling and maintenance costs. The aircraft also provides 25% fuel savings compared to current aircraft.”
The ch-aviation fleets module shows that the airline’s current regional fleet comprises two E175s (14.9 years old on average) and two E195s (15.6 years), all of which are owned, not leased.
Royal Jordanian also announced in October 2022 that it would acquire twenty A320-200Ns as part of a plan to increase its fleet to 40 aircraft within five years, and it is considering the B787-9 or B787-10 to supplement its seven B787-8 widebodies.
