Arab News, Monday, Oct 18, 2021 | Rabi Al-Awwal 12, 1443
Saudi, Jordan investors launch Fly Aqaba
Saudi Arabia: Jordan’s Aqaba Special
Economic Zone Authority signed an investment agreement to establish a
privately-owned Saudi-Jordanian airline with a capital of $20 million, Jordan’s
PETRA news agency reported on Sunday.
This huge investment project was the result of
joint cooperation between the two countries, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
“The new airline will operate flights to the
capital, Amman, and to European, Arab and Gulf countries under the name Fly
Aqaba,” said Nayef Bakheet, chairman of the authority’s board of commissioners.
Fly Aqaba will operate two planes in the first
phase, Bakheet added.
The airline will have its headquarters in the city
of Aqaba.
“The agreement supports tourism to Aqaba by
linking it with the countries of the world at competitive prices,” said Fadi Abu
Arish, executive general manager of the aviation company.
Sharhabeel Madi, commissioner for tourism and
investments at the Aqaba authority, said this Saudi investment in Jordan is
evidence of the country’s “distinguished” investment environment that offers
several incentives.
Nasser Aliani, general manager of Fly Aqaba, said
the investment project was the result of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and
Jordan to serve the interests of both people and support the Jordanian economy.
The COVID-19 pandemic has badly dented Jordan’s
tourism industry, which represented 14 percent of its gross domestic product.