Royal Jordanian is promoting Amman as the most reliable Jordan gateway for Indian travelers, offering a streamlined route into the Middle East.
At a bustling press briefing on Tuesday, the airline unveiled a suite of new services aimed at India’s growing outbound market. A sleek white Airbus A321 landed on the tarmac just after sunrise, its cabin already filled with signs in Hindi and English. Inside, passengers tasted a newly introduced mezze platter featuring hummus spiced with Indian‑style turmeric – a tiny but vivid sign of the airline’s cultural outreach.
The carrier announced a 30% increase in weekly flights between Delhi and Amman, adding two extra Saturday departures that shave three hours off total travel time when connecting onward to Istanbul or Dubai. In total, Royal Jordanian now operates thirteen weekly services on this corridor, up from ten last quarter.
Why does this matter?
India’s outbound tourism is booming. According to the Ministry of Tourism, Indian departures hit 18 million in 2025, a 12% jump from the previous year. Jordan, perched at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe, offers a politically stable, English‑friendly base for Indian tourists and business travelers alike. By cementing its role as a gateway, Royal Jordanian hopes to capture a slice of the estimated $30 billion market of Indians traveling to the GCC and beyond.
What new perks are on the table?
Travelers will enjoy a fast‑track visa‑on‑arrival process for Indian nationals, cutting paperwork from 45 minutes to under ten. The airline also rolled out a co‑branded frequent‑flyer tier with Air India, allowing points earned on either carrier to be redeemed for upgrades on routes to Europe or Africa.
For the budget‑conscious, a “Jordan Explorer” package bundles a three‑night stay in Amman’s historic downtown with a desert‑safari excursion in Wadi Rum, all priced under $800 per person.
These moves come as regional tensions simmer. While Iran and Israel navigate a fragile détente, and the war‑geopolitics of the Middle East remain volatile, Jordan’s reputation for safety and diplomatic neutrality makes it a logical stop‑over.
Travel agents in Delhi report a surge in inquiries about multi‑city itineraries that begin in Amman. “Clients love the idea of a short cultural pause before heading to the Gulf,” says a senior operator at a leading Indian tour firm.
Royal Jordanian’s strategy dovetails with broader economic ties: bilateral trade between India and Jordan rose 15% in the past year, buoyed by pharmaceuticals, fertilizers and information‑technology services.
What happens next?
If the new routes fill as projected, the airline could further increase capacity, perhaps adding a direct Amman‑Mumbai service by late 2026. Observers will watch whether the partnership model spurs similar collaborations between other Gulf carriers and Indian airlines.
For Indian travelers, the promise is clear: a smoother, culturally attuned gateway to the Middle East, with Jordan at the helm.