TF1Z01: RJ FLYING, BUT MOST INTERNATIONAL CARRIERS

UNCLAS AMMAN 001661

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

COMMERCE FOR 4520/ITA/MAC/ONE/COBERG
ATHENS FOR CASLO MONTGOMERY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAIR AMGT JO CACS
SUBJECT: TF1Z01: RJ FLYING, BUT MOST INTERNATIONAL CARRIERS
SUSPEND FLIGHTS



1. (SBU) Queen Alia International Airport Director Nasri
Nowar told us that while the airport remains open, most
international carriers have suspended or are about to suspend
service. These include KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, Alitalia,
and British Airways. He said that national carrier Royal
Jordanian Airlines (RJ) and regional carriers Gulf Air,
Emirates, and others continue to operate. The airport is on
what Nowar called "high security alert status." In the event
of hostilities, Nowar said he expected to keep the airport
open. He said that he has worked with a number of
humanitarian agencies to coordinate arrangements for use of
the airport for humanitarian purposes.


2. (SBU) RJ officials told us the airline had canceled its
Thursday and Friday UN-approved charter flights to Baghdad.
Otherwise, the airline hopes to continue to operate normally
for as long as possible and as long as insurance is
available. This includes RJ's direct service to JFK,
Chicago, and Detroit. If operations out of Amman become
impossible, RJ will transfer its hub to Athens, with regular
shuttle flights to Amman. Nowar added that a number of
Iraqis, denied entry into Jordan in accordance with current
GOJ policy, were expected to be returned to Baghdad via an
unscheduled RJ flight today, Wednesday, March 19.
GNEHM