Royal Jordanian losses widen due to war disruption

Jordan’s flag carrier Royal Jordanian has reported an annual increase in first-quarter losses, citing higher fuel costs after flights were rerouted due to the Iran conflict.

Net losses deepened to JOD14 million ($19.7 million) in the three-month period, from JOD6 million in the first quarter of 2025, the carrier said in a statement.

Operating revenues jumped 15 percent year on year to JOD196 million, driven by higher passenger volume amid an increase in flight frequency.

Passenger volume rose 5 percent to 992,000 from 944,000 during the same period of 2025. Flight hours increased by 19 percent year on year.

However, operating costs surged 12 percent to JOD177 million from JOD157 million in the first quarter of last year. No information was given on jet fuel expenses.

The ongoing challenges facing the aviation sector have negatively impacted the company’s financial results, CEO Samer Majali said.

He said that Royal Jordanian rerouted a number of its flights to avoid areas of tension, leading to longer flight times and higher operating costs, particularly in fuel consumption and insurance.

Majali said that the airline continues to operate in a highly challenging environment amid rising fuel prices and a sharp decline in passenger numbers. 

“This imposes additional pressure on the company’s operational and financial performance for the second quarter,” he said.

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The airline may need to make decisions, including the cancellation or consolidation of a large number of flights in the coming period, to maintain operational efficiency, the CEO said.

Majali told state-owned Al Mamlaka TV in September that the airline expects to reach seven million passengers per year over the next three years.

In May it secured a syndicated loan of $250 million to finance its expansion plans.

The Jordanian government owns a 95 percent stake in the carrier.