Royal Jordanian Airlines (RJ) announced Monday that it will launch regular nonstop flights between Amman and Kiev, the capital of Ukraine as of Aug. 17, 2008.

RJ plans to operate Brazil-made ERJ195 aircraft between the two cities, which will depart from Amman on Sundays and Wednesdays. The journey is expected to take three and a half hours, said President and CEO of RJ Samer Majali in a statement.

Majali added that the twice-weekly airline aims to serve the active commercial movement between the two countries as well as benefit students and tourists.

Kiev is expected to be the second nonstop station RJ opens in 2008. On Jan. 22, the airline inaugurated its first nonstop flight to Hong Kong. RJ has its services reach 56 cities of four continents.

(Xinhua News Agency July 22, 2008)