RJA launch Jerusalem package
 

by Shirajiv Sirimane

The Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJA) is launching a special package to Al-Aqsa Mosque Jerusalem which was closed for pilgrims for over nearly five decades due to conflict. With peace in the area which is considered as one of the two most important sites in Islam, and a showcase for islamic architecture and design has been opened once again.

According to Area Manager Sri Lanka and Maldives, (RJA) Jihad Mehyar, they have launched a special 7-day package linking both Mecca and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The package also includes tour to Jerusalem, Nazareth and other places of interest for both Christians and Muslims.

Al-Aqsa Mosque is the second oldest mosque in Islam atter the Ka'ba in Mecca, and is third in holiness and importance after the mosques in Mecca and Medina. It is also a tourist attraction.

"These packages are offered through selected travel agents in Sri Lanka and we are expecting a very good response," he said.

He said that the airline had been in existence in Sri Lanka for 14 years and have never closed their operations despite the country going through several crisis situations. "As a responsible airline we have a commitment to Sri Lanka and their people," he said.

RJA would be soon introducing E-ticketing so that customers could purchase their tickets on-line. He said that they are offering very good connections to US and Europe with a very short transit time. "The airline is offering one boarding pass for transit passengers which makes there travel even easier while RJA has also introduced a system where confronted ticket bodies would be informed on SMS if there are any flight changes," he said. He said that they were very happy with the ongoing Colombo airport expansion program and said that the Government should construct the highway linking airport to the city soon."

Royal Jordanian Airline commenced operations in 1963 and it accounted for revenue of US $ 362 million last year, which is an increase of 34 per cent than the previous year.