June 19, 2025 | By Anita Jain Shah

In a significant move to strengthen air connectivity and tourism exchange between India and Jordan, Royal Jordanian Airlines launched its direct, year-round service between Mumbai and Amman on June 19, 2025. The new route operates four times a week—on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays—using the state-of-the-art Airbus A320neo, equipped with dual-class cabins, inflight WiFi, and modern passenger amenities.

Speaking at an exclusive media interaction in Mumbai during the inaugural launch, Karim Makhlouf, Chief Commercial Officer of Royal Jordanian Airlines, directly addressed one of the biggest concerns Indian travel agents face when pitching Jordan: “Is Jordan safe?”

“Jordan is the safest haven in the Middle East,” Makhlouf said. “Despite 20 years of regional instability, Jordan has consistently remained peaceful, stable, and welcoming. We have no conflict with our neighbours. We are a peace-loving country, and now we are inviting Indian travellers to experience that firsthand.”

Beyond Connectivity: A Destination-Focused Strategy
With this new direct access to Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport, Indian travellers are just five hours away from a land where Petra’s ancient ruins, Wadi Rum’s surreal desert landscapes, and the healing waters of the Dead Sea await. Royal Jordanian’s mission is not merely to sell airline seats but to serve as a destination ambassador for Jordan, offering holistic travel experiences through its holiday division, Xplore Jordan.

One such offer is a USD 699 package for five nights, which includes key experiences across the country. “Jordan can be explored end-to-end within four hours by road,” noted Makhlouf, “but its diversity warrants at least a five-night stay—whether for wellness, adventure, culture, or city escapes.”

India First: Strategic Market, Seamless Access
India represents the first step in Royal Jordanian’s renewed Asia expansion. With over 75,000 Indian tourists visiting Jordan in 2023 without any direct flights, the new Mumbai route is expected to double that number within two years. To make access easier, Indians are eligible for visa on arrival, and in the case of booked packages, the visa fee is waived entirely.

The airline has appointed STIC Travel Group as its General Sales Agent (GSA) in India. “This is more than a new flight,” said Isha Goyal, CEO of STIC Travel Group. “It’s a bridge between two ancient civilizations—and a gateway for trade, cultural exchange, weddings, MICE, and experiential travel. Our goal is to partner with travel experts who can bring Jordan’s full spectrum—budget to luxury—to Indian travellers.”

Positioning Amman as a Regional Hub
While the spotlight remains firmly on Jordan, Royal Jordanian is also offering seamless onward connectivity to over 50 destinations across the Middle East, Gulf, Europe, North Africa, the U.S., and Canada. With its codeshare partnership with Air India, the airline enables smooth domestic connections from 30+ Indian cities, making global travel easier for Indian flyers.

A member of the oneworld alliance since 2007, Royal Jordanian’s future ambitions are bold. From its current fleet of 30 aircraft, the airline plans to expand to 42 within the next eight weeks and 50 by 2032. Mumbai becomes the airline’s 19th new destination added in just the past three years.

“Royal Jordanian is not just another full-service airline—it’s one of the few global carriers with a tourism-first mindset,” said Makhlouf. “Our product, our partnerships, and our promotions are all aligned to one goal: making Jordan a top-of-mind, must-visit destination for Indian travellers.”