Ryanair, Europe’s favourite airline, today (4 Feb) launched its first flights to Jordan with 14 routes in total to Amman and Aqaba airports, which will deliver almost 500,000 customers p.a., as Ryanair expands its operation in the Middle East.

Starting with a route to Paphos (Cyprus) in March, Ryanair’s Amman operation will grow to 10 routes from October, as part of its Winter 2018 schedule. Flights to Aqaba will commence in October with 4 routes, and will operate for the winter season.

Ryanair’s Amman year-round schedule includes:

• 1 new route to Paphos (Cyprus) from March (4 weekly)
• 10 new routes from October: Bologna (2 weekly), Brussels Zaventem (2), Bucharest (2), Budapest (2), Krakow (2), Milan Bergamo (3), Paphos (2), Prague (2), Vilnius (2) & Warsaw Modlin (2)
• 430,000 customers p.a.
• Over 300 on-site* jobs

Ryanair’s Aqaba Winter 2018 schedule includes:

• 4 new routes: Athens (2 weekly), Cologne (2), Rome Ciampino (2) & Sofia (2)
• Over 55,000 customers p.a.
• 40 on-site* jobs

In Jordan, Ryanair’s David O’Brien said:

“Ryanair is pleased to announce our entry into the Jordanian market from March 2018, initially with one route from Paphos in Cyprus to Amman commencing in March, and growing to 10 from October, as part of our Winter 2018 schedule. Flights to Aqaba will commence in October with 4 routes, which will deliver almost 500,000 Ryanair customers p.a. at Amman and Aqaba airports.

These routes will introduce new business and leisure travellers from eleven European countries to one of the most attractive tourist destinations in the world, and to celebrate we are releasing seats for sale from Paphos to Amman from €19.99 for travel in April and May, which are available for booking until midnight Wednesday (7 Feb). Since these amazing low fares will be snapped up quickly, customers should log onto www.ryanair.com and avoid missing out.”

H.E. Minister of Tourism & Antiquities and Chairwoman of the Jordan Tourism Board, Ms Lina Mazhar Annab said:

“We are delighted to see Ryanair launch 14 new routes from Europe to Jordan. This is a significant development in Jordan’s travel industry that will offer travellers greater choice and value for money.

Enhancing air connectivity is one of the key areas Jordan is focusing on given its impact on unlocking economic growth through attracting business investment as well as spurring tourism, two factors that are vital to Jordan’s economic prosperity.

Ryanair’s decision to fly to Jordan sends a loud and clear message about the diversity and the untapped potential of Jordan’s tourism product.  It also shows confidence in the tourism industry in Jordan, which has witnessed double-digit growth in the past year.  The timing of the launch of these new flights is ideal given the increased global interest in Jordan and its recent listing as one of the best destinations to visit in 2018 by numerous world-renowned travel and tourism publications.

To coincide with these new flights, we will be launching different marketing campaigns in the new source markets targeting specific types of tourists such as religious, adventure and business travellers.”

Managing Director of the Jordan Tourism Board, Dr. Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat said:

“Opening up new routes to the Kingdom from several crucial markets is key in bringing tourists for extended stays in Jordan. This is a culmination of efforts that reflects our steadfast demand driven approach. We are now able to make the Kingdom more accessible to a broader segment of potential tourists and whose impact on the local economy will be substantial on every level of the tourism sector supply-chain. We are excited for this endeavour to grow and flourish over the next few years, and to witness its impact on the tourism sector.”