Airlines

Royal Jordanian Airlines is expected next week to sign a formal agreement to acquire at least seven Embraer 190 regional jets and become the first Middle East operator to take the type (pictured below).

The airline has reached a deal for the aircraft and will conclude it at an event in the Jordanian capital Amman on 22 March, to be attended by Embraer representatives.

While Embraer will not confirm any agreement, sources familiar with the situation tell Flight that the airline is to take at least seven aircraft of the 90-seat twin-jets and place options on several more. Delivery dates have not been disclosed and it is unclear whether the order will also include the larger Embraer 195 model.

Royal Jordanian Airlines is developing regional links as part of a strategy to improve connections between Amman and other cities in the area, and the carrier had previously stated that it could acquire up to 15 regional jets. This regional strategy could complement the airline’s plans to become a member of the Oneworld alliance

DAVID KAMINSKI-MORROW / LONDON

This article first appeared on Air Transport Intelligence, an online business intelligence service for the air transport industry with 24 hour news and data available to subscribers.