Abu Dhabi’s first low-cost carrier, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, will take flight for the first time on July 14th, 2020 connecting the UAE capital to Alexandria, Egypt. The following day, the new carrier will begin service to Sohag.
On Monday, Air Arabia announced that their Abu Dhabi based low-cost carrier (LCC) Air Arabia Abu Dhabi will commence operations on July 14, 2020 with flights to Egypt. The airline is a joint venture between Air Arabia and the Etihad Aviation Group. The new carrier will be the UAE capital’s first LCC and the inaugural flight will connect Abu Dhabi with Alexandria on July 14th and with Sohag on July 15th. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi will begin service with two Abu Dhabi-based Airbus A320s and the guest journey has been upgraded with adherence to all local and international health and well-being protocols. In Monday’s announcement, Etihad Aviation Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Tony Douglas said,
“In these extraordinary times, it gives us great pride to launch Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, the capital’s first low-cost carrier. This joint venture between Etihad and Air Arabia will offer greater convenience and direct access to the UAE’s thriving capital for new markets worldwide, beginning with two key Egyptian routes, and expanding in time. Abu Dhabi has earned itself an exceptional reputation for business and leisure travel alike, and we look forward to seeing the emirate prosper as the current global situation improves and markets begin to reopen.”
The new carrier’s flights to Borg Al Arab International Airport (HBE) in Alexandria will operate three-times weekly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The flights will depart Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) at 3:00 PM and arrive in Alexandria at 4:55 PM. The return flights depart Alexandria at 5:35 PM, arriving Abu Dhabi at 11:25 PM (all times local). The once-weekly flight to Sohag International Airport (HMB) will operate on Wednesdays and will depart Abu Dhabi at 2:20 PM, arriving Sohag at 4:00 PM. The return flight departs Sohag at 4:40 PM and arrives in Abu Dhabi at 10:10 PM (all times local).
Also commenting on Monday’s announcement, Air Arabia Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Adel Al Ali added,
“We are delighted to launch the first flight of Air Arabia Abu Dhabi. While the global aviation sector continues to witness unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19 pandemic, this step is a testament to the strength of the UAE aviation sector and our commitment to its long-term prospects. Egypt is a key travel market and the launch of the first flights reflects our focus on supporting commercial and trade ties between both nations while providing our customers with a new value-for-money option to travel between both countries. Abu Dhabi is a major travel and tourism hub and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi will further serve this vision by positioning Abu Dhabi as a key hub in the region for low-cost travel. We look forward to expanding Air Arabia Abu Dhabi destination network as more airports open up and flights resume.”
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi was founded following an agreement between Air Arabia and Etihad Airways and was established as an independent joint-venture company. The new carrier will operate as a low-cost carrier (LCC) with its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport and will follow Air Arabia’s successful business model. The airline will complement Etihad Airways’ Abu Dhabi services and thereby cater to the growing LCC market segment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Air Arabia was the first LCC in the MENA region when the carrier began operations in the UAE in 2003.
Source: Air Arabia