US embassy cable - 03AMMAN1424

C O N F I D E N T I A L AMMAN 001424 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DOD FOR OSD - DR. KEITH DUNN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 3/10/2004 
TAGS: EAIR, MOPS, JO 
SUBJECT: JORDANIAN AIRLIFT SUPPORT FOR OEF 
 
REF: AMMAN 1251 
 
Classified by Ambassador Edward W. Gnehm.  Reasons 1.5 (b) 
and (d). 
 
1.  (sbu)  In a March 10 letter to the embassy Royal 
Jordanian Airlines (RJ) CEO Samer Majali confirmed RJ's offer 
to provide uplift support for OEF operations in the region. 
The text of the letter, including approximate hourly rates 
for passenger and cargo charter flights, is transmitted 
below.  In a phone conversation with ECON/C, Majali noted 
that these rates were subject to discussion. 
 
2.  (c)  The Ambassasdor also raised potential RJ uplift 
support to the coalition with Foreign Minister Marwan 
al-Muasher on March 9.  Muasher confirmed that the Jordanian 
government would welcome such activity, especially given RJ's 
difficult financial circumstances (see reftel). 
 
3.  (sbu)  Begin text of Majali letter. 
 
Reference our discussions regarding the operation of charter 
flights, it is my pleasure to confirm to you RJ's interest in 
operating charter flights based on the following generic 
(appoximate) rates per block hour: 
 
A340 Aircraft:   US$7,900 (23 J/class and 223 Y class) 
A310 Aircraft:   US$5,900 (17 J/class and 181 Y class) 
A320 Aircraft:   US$3,900 (11 J/class and 127 Y class) 
A310 Freighter:  US$5,900 
B707 Freighter:  US$4,900 
 
Please note that the above rates are based on current 
insurance and fuel rates and will be subject to change if 
insurance or fuel rates increase.  In addition, the above 
rates are net to RJ and it include all operational expenses, 
but excluding any royalties or taxes, if to be paid to 
foreign authorities. 
 
Finally, the above rates are based on large number of flights 
and that we will operate a series of flights, not one or few 
charter flights. 
 
I hope you will find the above rates satisfactory, and please 
do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further 
information. 
 
4.  (sbu)  Majali's contact numbers are as follows:  Direct 
phone: 962-6-567-8160, Main RJ number: 962-6-568-8925.  Fax: 
962-6-567-9243. 
 
5.  (sbu)  Embassy point of contact is Econ Chief Tom 
Goldberger: office phone 962-6-592-7956.  office fax: 
962-6-592-7653.  IVG 8-978-2556. Mobile/afterhours: 
962-79-560-8995. 
GNEHM