AKEL BILTAJI

Vice Chairman of Royal Jordanian Airline; Former Mayor, Greater Amman Municipality, Jordan

Akel Biltaji is currently vice chairman of Royal Jordanian Airline and has served as mayor of Greater Amman Municipality since his appointment by the cabinet in September 2013 up until the completion of his term on 12 March 2017.

 

Biltaji joined the Arabian American Oil Company (ARAMCO) in 1962. In the summer of 1969, he returned to Jordan to join the National Carrier Alia, the Royal Jordanian Airlines as a senior management officer. In his 28 year distinguished airline career, Biltaji served in different capacities, the last of which was senior vice president. His Majesty the Late King Hussein appointed him in 1997 as the country's minister of tourism and antiquities, where he continued to serve in this portfolio until June of 2001. He was then appointed by King Abdullah II as chief commissioner to the newly declared Region of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority.

In February of 2004 His Majesty King Abdullah II appointed Chief Commissioner Biltaji to serve as His Majesty's advisor on tourism promotion, foreign direct investment and country branding until November 2005 when he was appointed as a member of the House of Senate where he served as chairman of the Tourism and Heritage House Committee, member of the Foreign Relations and the National Parliamentarian Committees.

 

Biltaji was awarded the Herald Tribune, American Express, and Reed Travel's most prestigious World Tourism Award on 12 November 2007 at the London World Travel Market.