RELATED ARTICLE: IN PICTURES: Air Arabia turns seven
The region’s travelling public has embraced low cost airlines, according to a YouGov Siraj survey supported by Air Arabia.
Of the 750 respondents interviewed by YouGov Siraj, 69% travel more frequently due to the availability of low-cost carriers (LCCs) in the region; 63% have used LCCs for leisure travel in the past two years and 60% of those who haven’t used an LCC are interested in trying one out.
Air Arabia was voted the most popular LCC by 65% of Sharjah residents, 51% in Abu Dhabi and 49% in Dubai.
Adel Ali, CEO of Air Arabia, said: “Air Arabia introduced low-cost airlines to the region in October 2003, during a time when luxury travel was emphasised, and since then, the concept of budget travel has gone from strength to strength.
“Seven years later, we are pleased to learn that Air Arabia is the LCC of choice to most UAE residents who have used LCCs for leisure travel and are benefiting from the competitive fares LCCs offer.”
Air Arabia recently celebrated seven years of operation. It made around AED 100 million in the first half of 2010.
“This recent survey testifies that low cost airlines have redefined the way residents and visitors travel in the Middle East,” said Nalini Pippara, Senior Research Associate, YouGovSiraj.