Air Arabia Abu Dhabi celebrates second anniversary

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, the capital’s first low-cost carrier, marked its second anniversary on July 14, having flown over 800,000 passengers on some 7,600 flights operating to 24 routes.

The budget carrier 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.

The carrier’s fleet has grown over the past two years from just two Airbus A320 aircraft at launch to eight new aircraft at present with additional aircraft expected to join the fleet before year end.

Adel Al Ali, group CEO, 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.

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 has grown to reach 24 routes spread across Egypt, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, India, Bangladesh, Turkey, Nepal, Sudan, Pakistan, Oman, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia.