Royal Jordanian suffers from profit slump as fuel prices rise

Its net profit for 2010 dropped by 66% compared to 2009, but chairman Nasser Lozi rates the carrier's performance as satisfactory citing a number of adverse factors as the casue of the drop

He said the carrier's earnings for 2010 were JD9.6 million ($13.5 million) compared to JD28.6 million the previous year and said the airline's fuel bill  rose from JD150 million in 2009 to JD203 million which he said was a "major contributor" to the drop in profits, together with increased competition.

The number of passengers carried rose 13% to 3 million and load factor rose from 68% to 71%. Cargo carried jumped 31%.Operational revenue rose to JD685 million from JD598 million.