Royal Jordanian Airlines Now Steers Through Regional Conflicts and Missile Strikes, Safeguarding Passenger Travel

Published on July 9, 2025

Jordan’s national carrier, Royal Jordanian Airlines, has had much practice navigating one of the most volatile regions of the world. As it resides sandwiched between hotspots, pilots have become proficient navigating dangerous airspace, often changing course when confronted with attacks by missiles and changing military conditions.
In recent weeks, when Iran and Israel have had reciprocal exchanges of missiles, and when airspace closures have disrupted flight routes, Royal Jordanian Airlines has flown, sometimes on minutes’ notice to adapt. CEO Samer Al Majali, speaking recently to correspondents in Amman, outlined hard decisions his airline has to make in order to ensure people and crew’s safety when tensions are mounting.

Royal Jordanian Airlines, which operates a fleet of around two dozen aircraft, has developed an in-depth understanding of missile flight paths and often redirects its planes accordingly, sometimes with mere moments’ notice. This agility has enabled the airline to keep its flights operational despite significant airspace closures in neighboring countries, including Israel, Iraq, and Syria.

The Airspace Crisis: Regional Conflict and Its Impact on Aviation

Recent missile exchanges between Israel and Iran have highlighted the risks associated with flying in and around war-torn zones. The threat of missile strikes on commercial flights is not new, as seen in the tragic downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in 2014, when 298 people were killed after being hit by a surface-to-air missile over Ukraine. Similarly, an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger jet was struck by a likely Russian missile in 2024, resulting in the deaths of 38 people.

Jordan has managed to remain out of direct confrontation. However, the kingdom, with a population of approximately 11 million, has been forced to absorb the fallout from neighboring conflicts. These include Israel’s ongoing strikes on Hamas and Syria’s long-running civil war. Al Majali spoke of the logistical nightmare faced by his airline as they sought out longer flight paths to avoid conflict zones—routes that sometimes double the flight times and significantly increase operational costs.

The threat of missile strikes is a very real concern, which has forced Royal Jordanian to take precautionary measures when navigating through unstable airspace. The airline often receives only minutes of warning before missiles are launched. This often results in flight diversions, taking passengers on detours that can extend the journey time by hours.

Aviation and the Modern Warfare Threat

The threat to aviation safety is not only limited to missiles. Recently, GPS spoofing—where false satellite signals are used to confuse navigation systems—has added another layer of risk for airlines operating in conflict zones. Al Majali shared insights into how such interference could make it difficult for aircraft to navigate, jeopardizing both passenger and crew safety.

Royal Jordanian has faced these challenges head-on, adapting its operations to meet these evolving threats. Despite the adverse conditions, the airline remains committed to ensuring the safety of its passengers, even as the risks continue to rise.

One such instance of these risks came recently when missiles from Iran passed through Jordanian airspace en route to Israel. Several downed drones and missile shrapnel landed in the kingdom, injuring multiple individuals. This type of aerial activity underscores the importance of carefully monitoring and adjusting flight paths to avoid accidents and ensure the safety of travelers.

Economic Consequences for Royal Jordanian Airlines

As the geopolitical situation has worsened, Royal Jordanian Airlines has experienced a marked decline in passenger numbers. With the threat of airspace closures and missile strikes, many travelers have become hesitant to book flights through the region, fearing that they may get stranded if their airspace closes unexpectedly.

In late 2023, Royal Jordanian’s earnings took a hit as cancellations surged, particularly among leisure travelers who worried about being caught in the midst of a military conflict. Even Sweden’s aviation authorities recently denied landing rights to Royal Jordanian planes from perceived conflict zones, further complicating the airline’s operations.

Despite these hurdles, the airline has remained resilient, continuing to adapt to the shifting landscape and seeking alternative strategies to remain viable in the midst of adversity.

Regional Airspace Closures: A Wider Impact on Middle Eastern Aviation

The recent tensions in the region have not only affected Royal Jordanian Airlines but have caused disruptions across the entire Middle Eastern aviation network. Countries such as Qatar have experienced airspace closures due to missile threats from Iran, leading to operational chaos. Major Middle Eastern carriers like Qatar Airways and Emirates have seen their operations disrupted, forcing tens of thousands of passengers to reroute and adjust their travel plans.

With Dubai being one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, any disruption to air traffic in the region has significant global ramifications. Emirates and Qatar Airways, which are vital players in the region’s aviation landscape, have struggled to maintain their usual schedules due to the instability in nearby countries. The knock-on effects of airspace closures are felt far beyond the Middle East. International travel, especially between Europe, Asia, and North America, has been impacted, as the regional aviation network is an integral part of long-haul flight routes

Conclusion: Royal Jordanian Airlines’ Ongoing Efforts to Maintain Safety and Continuity

Continued operations of Royal Jordanian Airline throughout war confrontations are a testimony to its persistence and responsibility towards customers. With years of operations in war regions, the airline has succeeded in keeping its fleet running despite several challenges.

Through constant learning to adjust to changing geopolitical dynamics  and investment in latest technologies to ensure aircraft safety, Royal Jordanian proceeds to fly across the region on principles of customer care and operational efficiency. Despite the threat of missile attacks and airspace shutdown remaining a persistent threat, the airline’s agility and efficiency in handling such scenarios will keep it at the heart of Middle Eastern skies in years to come.

(Source: Royal Jordanian Airlines, Amman News.)