Air Arabia has signed an agreement with the Armenian National Interests Fund (ANIF) to launch Armenia’s new national airline. Under the agreement, an independent joint venture company will be formed to operate the new airline.
On Wednesday (July 14, 2021), Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest LCC, announced the signing of an agreement with the Armenian National Interests Fund (ANIF) for the establishment of Armenia’s new national airline. The agreement establishes an independent joint venture company that will operate the new low-cost national carrier, which will be based at Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport (EVN). The announcement followed a signing ceremony and press conference today at EVN which was attended by H.E. Tigran Avinyan, Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia and H.E. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, Air Arabia’s Chairman, and other dignitaries.
In Wednesday’s announcement, ANIF’s Chief Executive Officer, David Papazian, said,
“We are excited to launch a new national low-cost carrier for Armenia that will contribute significant value to the economy and energize our travel and tourism sector. This builds on our commitment to partner with top global entities on transformational projects that catalyze our crucial economic sectors. Air Arabia has a well-established track record in launching and operating successful LCCs, and its know-how will be a differentiating strength of the new airline.”
Also commenting on the new partnership, Air Arabia Group’s Chief Executive Officer, Adel Al Ali, said,
“We are delighted at Air Arabia Group to partner with ANIF on this joint venture to launch Armenia’s new national low-cost carrier. We see tremendous potential for Armenia in building its airline sector, which will add sustained value to the economy through job creation and the development of travel and tourism sector. We thank ANIF and the Civil Aviation Committee for their trust and we look forward to working hand in hand to develop the new airline, which will serve as a value-for-money air travel option for Armenians and visitors to the country.”
Tatevik Revazian, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Committee of Armenia, added,
“Our vision for Armenia is to significantly improve air connectivity and as a result bring economic growth and jobs to the country. Having a strong national low-cost airline is essential for the development of Armenia’s air transport sector, especially as a tool to recover faster from the COVID-19 crisis. This partnership between ANIF and Air Arabia Group to launch a new airline reflects this vision. We are confident that the expertise Air Arabia brings to the JV will support the seamless launch and growth of the carrier. We look forward to the success of Armenia’s new national airline.”
The new airline will be named by the people of Armenia via an open competition that starts today and will last for four weeks through August 14, 2021. Armenian’s wishing to participate can send their name suggestions to nametheairline@anif.am.
Founded in 2003, Air Arabia is the leading low-cost carrier servicing the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The carrier operates a fleet of 58 new Airbus A320 and A321 Family aircraft and serves 170 routes from five hubs in the UAE, Morocco and Egypt. The award-winning airline offers comfort, reliability and low-cost air travel. Air Arabia (PJSC) is listed on the Dubai Financial Market.
Source: Air Arabia