Aggressive route expansion

Air Arabia has added 15 new routes to its network in H1 2015, including becoming the first LCC from the Middle East and Africa to enter the Chinese market.They registered a net profit of AED 237 mn during H1 and are undergoing aggressive route expansion t

Air Arabia’s turnover for the first six months of 2015 reached AED 1.75 billion, in line with the corresponding period of 2014. In H1 2015, Air Arabia flew 3.6 million passengers, up 9 per cent on the corresponding period of 2014. Net profit during H1 2015 reached AED 237 million, while, for the three months ending June 30, 2015, it stood at AED 152 million.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, Chairman, Air Arabia, said, “Air Arabia continues to deliver healthy profit levels and strong passenger growth

against a backdrop of challenging market conditions. The first half 2015 have seen Air Arabia taking major steps in investing in its growth. We have launched ‘Air Arabia Jordan’ following the completion of a strategic acquisition as well as invested in new routes and capacity increase across the group’s operating hubs, which today provides our customer with access to over 115 routes across the world.”

‘Air Arabia Jordan’ was launched in the first half of 2015, located at Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan. 'Air Arabia Jordan' was formed following the acquisition of a 49 per cent stake by Air Arabia in Petra Airlines. Its inaugural flight took off in May to Kuwait and it has since added services to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and Sharam El Sheikh in Egypt. In total, Air Arabia has added 15 new routes to its network in first half 2015, including becoming the first LCC from the Middle East and Africa to enter the Chinese market when it launched non-stop services to Urumqi, the largest city in Western China.

The first half of 2015 also witnessed the launch of “Airewards”, the first ever Low Cost Carrier rewards program in the MENA region. It is designed to offer the same simple, transparent and value-packed experience that customers associate with Air Arabia, with points based on money spent rather than distance flown, and able to be earned on any product or service purchased from the airline.

The carrier’s fleet is fully comprised of the A320, which is recognised as the benchmark for singleaisle aircraft. All aircraft cabin interiors are fitted with world-class comfort seats, offering the highest seat pitch of any Economy cabin.Air Arabia has grown to become a leading regional airline with a fleet of 41 aircraft. By 2016, it will double the size of its fleet, bringing its total operating fleet to over 50 aircraft.

Air Arabia is dedicated to uplifting the lives of those who are less fortunate. To that end, the airline introduced sustainable CSR initia¬tives such as the ‘Charity Cloud.’ Launched in collaboration with Sharjah Charity International in 2005, the initiative aims to raise funds for community development through on-board passenger do¬nations.To date, the programme has seen the establishments of a fully equipped clinic in Sudan, two schools in Sri Lanka, a school each in Nepal and India, vaccination campaign for children in Sudan, and a campaign in Sri Lanka for the treatment of blind children.