UAE’s new low-cost airline Air Arabia Abu Dhabi operates its inaugural flight

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital’s first low-cost carrier, began operations on Tuesday with its first flight to Alexandria in Egypt.

A second flight will operate from Abu Dhabi to the city of Sohag on July 15.

Flights to Alexandria’s Borg Al Arab International Airport will operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Flight 3L 401 will take off from Abu Dhabi at 3pm local time, arriving in Alexandria at 4.55pm. The return flight 3L 402 will depart from the Egyptian city at 5.35pm, landing in the UAE capital at 11.25pm.

Meanwhile flights to Sohag International Airport will operate on Wednesdays.

Flight 3L 413 will depart Abu Dhabi every Wednesday at 2.20pm, arriving in the Egyptian city at 4pm. The return flight 3L 414 will depart from Sohag at 4.40pm local time, arriving in the UAE capital at 10.10pm.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has started operations with two Airbus A320 aircraft based in Abu Dhabi International Airport, offering the same products and services provided by Air Arabia across its hubs, a statement said.

The new airline – the UAE’s fifth – 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 will complement the services of Etihad Airways.

Tony Douglas, group CEO, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “This joint venture between Etihad and Air Arabia will offer the nation’s citizens and residents a great new option for air travel from the UAE’s vibrant capital city.

“We look forward to expanding our codeshare partnership to provide more connections to and from Etihad’s global network onto Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s growing list of destinations.”

Adel Al Ali, group CEO, Air Arabia, added: “We look forward to expanding Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s destination network as more airports open up.”

Passengers can book flights between Abu Dhabi and Egypt by visiting Air Arabia’s website or through travel agencies.

Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “Abu Dhabi International Airport, with its innovative health and safety technology, is well positioned to cater to the emirate’s growing aviation and tourism industries including the increasingly popular low-cost air travel sector.”