Jordan’s Civil Aviation Authority has cancelled the exclusive right of the national carrier, Royal Jordanian, to operate regular flights to and from the country.

The government first signed the exclusivity deal with Royal Jordanian in 2002.

The first phase of the deal, from 2002 to 2006, gave Royal Jordanian full exclusivity, meaning no other Jordanian carrier could operate regular, scheduled flights in or out of the country.

A second phase from 2006 until now stipulated that other Jordanian carriers could only operate flights to foreign cities that Royal Jordanian did not offer services to.

The deal was aimed at strengthening Royal Jordanian’s financial performance.

Following the end of the exclusivity deal, Jordan’s other airlines Royal Wings and Royal Falcons can now operate a full range of scheduled flights to and from Jordan.

Local carrier Jordan Aviation is in the process of seeking a licence.