Air Arabia carried a record 1.44 million passengers in the first quarter of 2013, a 17.5% increase compared to the same period last year.
In the first quarter, the airline has launched flights from its primary hub in Sharjah to Sialkot in Pakistan, Baghdad in Iraq and Mattala in Sri Lanka. The airline also increased frequencies to many exiting routes.
“Air Arabia continues to witness significant growth in passenger numbers, and this demonstrates the popularity of the airline’s value for money and excellent service,” said Adel Ali, Group CEO, Air Arabia. “Air Arabia will continue to set the standard for the low-cost travel segment, offering great fares to an ever growing range of destinations.”
Air Arabia took delivery of two new sharklet equipped Airbus A320 aircraft in Q1. The delivery is part of an order of 44 aircraft placed in 2007. The delivery of the aircraft will be completed by 2016, and will more than double the size of Air Arabia’s fleet.
Last week, the airline said it plans to launch three weekly non-stop services to Abha in Saudi Arabia from May 22. From August, the airline will also offer four weekly flights instead of three to Salalah in Oman.