Amman,  Royal Jordanian shall commence operating regular flights between Amman and Misrata, Libya, starting January 28, 2012.

RJ president/CEO Hussein Dabbas said that the company's decision to open a third route between Jordan and Libya -beside Tripoli and Benghazi- is due to the high demand on travel between Misrata and Amman. This demand is seen particularly from people of Mistara who visit Jordan to receive treatment and various medical services at the Jordanian hospitals, in addition to the growing movement of Jordanian and Libyan businessmen between the two countries.

Dabbas added that Libyans prefer to visit Jordan for medical tourism despite the competition with the European countries. He mentioned that a large number of Libyans are currently being treated in the Jordan. The service to the three Libyan cities is bound to facilitate transportation of patients to the Kingdom, thus reflecting the ambiance of stability Jordan enjoys.

According to Dabbas, RJ will operate two weekly flights to Misrata on Tuesdays and Saturdays, using the Embraer 195 aircraft. The flight will take off at 7:10 am from Amman and lands in Misrata at 11:00 am. It will leave Misrata at 12:00 noon and arrives in Amman at 15:00 pm.

Royal Jordanian resumed its operations to Tripoli with six weekly flights and to Benghazi with four weekly flights after having had halted the service to both cities for ten months due to the turmoil seen in Libya last year. The airline thus operates 12 weekly flights between Jordan and Libya with an option of an increase depending on the demand.

Misrata lies on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea 208 km east of Tripoli. It has a population of 350,000 according to the 2011 statistics and enjoys an agricultural and economical importance.  It is the seat of many companies such as the Libyan Iron and Steel Company.

Misrata was tremendously expanded from the 1970s onward, resulting in a mass migration of Libyans to Misrata and consequently generated population and economic growth. The city is named after the tribe inhabiting it, the Misrata tribe.

Source:   Royal Jordanian