Ammon News - AMMAN- A newly manufactured Embraer 175 aircraft joined the airline on Nov. 12, 2010, the 8th Embraer RJ has added to its Embraer fleet.

RJ introduced five Embraer 195s and two Embraer 175s in the last few years to operate on the regional route network and on short-haul Middle Eastern cities.

The Brazilian Embraer 175 airliner (designated the name Azraq) is considered one of the best regional jets. It is known for the comfort it offers for passengers, in addition to being efficient in terms of fuel consumption. It is configured to carry 72 passengers in a two-class layout, with 12 seats in Crown Class and 60 in economy.

Acquiring this aircraft brings the number of aircraft in RJ fleet to 31, eight of which are Embraers and the rest different Airbus types. Among the latter are Airbus A330s which the airline introduced in May this year to serve the long-haul routes.

In regards of the fleet modernization program, the national carrier announced that it intends to introduce seven new Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft to replace six Airbus currently operating in the fleet, plus an additional A320. The first delivery is scheduled for April of next year, and the others will follow in 2012.

The planes enjoy high-quality specifications and are bound to provide passengers with an advanced in-flight entertainment (IFE) system, including a special screen embedded in each seat.

Regarding the long-range fleet modernization, RJ will start receiving the 11 Boeing 787 Dreamliners in 2013, whereas the airline is now undergoing a comprehensive renovation process to its four Airbus A340s operating on the long-haul routes at a cost of $12 million.

The first renovated A340 is now operating since the beginning of this November. Its 229-Economy Class seats were totally replaced with new seats and equipped with Seat Integrated Technology (SiT), the new, state-of-the-art Audio Video On Demand (AVOD) In-Flight Entertainment system.

The airline's aircraft carry the names of Their Royal Highnesses the Princes and Princesses, in addition to tourist and archeological Jordanian cities.

* Petra