ISTANBUL, TÜRKİYE — Royal Jordanian Airlines and Embraer have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduce two variants of Embraer’s advanced E2 jets to its fleet, the E190-E2, and E195-E2. In total, the airline intends to operate ten new Embraer jets to optimally serve short-haul routes within the region.
The agreement was signed at the Istanbul Air Show by RJ Vice Chairman/CEO Samer Majali and Arjan Meijer, CEO of Embraer Commercial Aircraft.
Majali said that introducing the new highly fuel-efficient Embraers is part of the airline's overall aircraft modernization plan that includes both renewing and growing the fleet that is deployed on 2-hour flights from Amman to destinations within the Levant. He added that the airline’s strategic plan would further boost RJ’s position as the preferred airline in the region by offering improved connectivity to a wider network, positioning Amman as the leading gateway to the Levant.
He added that following extensive feasibility studies to decide on the best aircraft to replace the currently operating E195 and E175, RJ selected the Embraer E2 aircraft to best fit its financial objectives and network strategy. RJ has been operating Embraer aircraft for 15 years now, and choosing the same original type of aircraft will help reduce the investment cost of pilot training and spare parts provisioning whilst also lowering crew scheduling and maintenance costs.
The aircraft should provide up to 25% fuel savings per seat compared to the current E1s resulting in operating cost savings as well as significant carbon emissions reductions supporting the airline’s environmentally friendly strategy.
RJ's E195-E2s will accommodate 12 passengers in Crown Class and 108 in Economy, and the smaller E190-E2 will have the same number of Crown Class seats and 80 in the Economy Class. All aircraft will be fitted with the latest four abreast business class seats with impressive 53-inch legroom and seat recline in addition to the provision of individual portable iPads. The economy cabin will feature the new slimline seats, also in a four-abreast configuration with no middle seat.
The entire aircraft will be fitted with extra-large overhead bins, mood lighting, leather seats, and wireless connectivity for entertainment, in addition to full internet browsing and communication capability with the ground networks during flight.
Royal Jordanian recently announced the plan to modernize its narrow-body fleet with new aircraft, including the Airbus A320neo family jets.
At the same time, negotiations with Boeing are still ongoing to grow the current fleet of wide-body aircraft, followed by the scheduled replacement of its current fleet in the near future.
The airline’s plan is to increase the fleet size from the 24 aircraft currently operating to over 40 aircraft over the next five years.
