Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, the capital’s first low-cost carrier, celebrated its second successful year of operations recently, having flown over 800,000 passengers on some 7,600 flights operating to 24 routes. The carrier’s fleet grew over the past two year from just 2 Airbus A320 aircraft at launch to 8 new aircraft as of today with additional aircraft expected to join the fleet before year end.
Launched during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the carrier’s success has not only contributed to enhancing confidence in flight but also contributed to Abu Dhabi’s growing aviation and tourism sectors by providing high-value, cost-competitive air travel services to key destinations direct from the capital.
Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: “The remarkable success that Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has achieved in just two years, beating the challenges posed by the pandemic, underpin its effective operational model. The carrier remains committed to adding incremental value to Abu Dhabi’s economy by supporting related sectors such as hospitality, retail and tourism, while providing the residents and tourists a cost-effective travel option backed by world-class service standards.”
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi marked the inauguration of its operations with its first flight to Alexandria in Egypt on July 14, 2020. A second Air Arabia Abu Dhabi flight operated from the UAE’s capital to the Nile city of Sohag the next day. The carrier commenced its operations with two Airbus A320 aircraft based at Abu Dhabi International Airport, offering the same value-for-money product and services provided by Air Arabia Group. The carrier’s route network grew to reach 24 routes spread across Egypt, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, India, Bangladesh, Turkey, Nepal, Sudan, Pakistan, Oman, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia.
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi was formed following an agreement by Etihad Airways and Air Arabia to establish an independent joint venture company that will operate as a low-cost passenger airline with Abu Dhabi International Airport as its hub. The capital’s first low-cost carrier follows the business model of Air Arabia and complements the services of Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi thereby catering to the growing low-cost travel market segment in the region.
