Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, the capital’s first low-cost carrier, on Tuesday marked the inauguration of its operations with its first flight to Alexandria in Egypt.

A second Air Arabia Abu Dhabi flight will operate from the UAE’s capital to the Nile city of Sohag today (July 15).

The launch ceremony was attended by senior leadership teams of Etihad Aviation Group, Abu Dhabi Airports Company, Air Arabia, Department of Transport in Abu Dhabi among other guests.

Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group, said: “We are proud to launch Air Arabia Abu Dhabi operations today with the first flight to Alexandria. This joint venture between Etihad and Air Arabia will offer the nation’s citizens and residents a great new option for air travel from the UAE’s vibrant capital city. We look forward to expanding our codeshare partnership to provide more connections to and from Etihad’s global network onto Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s growing list of destinations”

Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “We are pleased to witness Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s first flight and commencement of operations as the UAE capital’s first low-cost carrier. Abu Dhabi International Airport, with its innovative health and safety technology, is well positioned to cater to the emirate’s growing aviation and tourism industries including the increasingly popular low-cost air travel sector. We are looking forward to introducing passengers travelling aboard Air Arabia Abu Dhabi to our own unique brand of Arabian hospitality and a seamless travel experience.”

Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: “We are delighted for the launch of Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s first flight and we thank all partners who supported us in achieving today’s milestone. We look forward to expanding Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s destination network as more airports open up while providing our customers with a new value-for-money option to travel from and into the capital.”

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has started its operations with two Airbus A320 aircraft based at Abu Dhabi International Airport, offering the same value-for-money product and services provided by Sharjah-based Air Arabia.

Customers can now book their direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Egypt by visiting Air Arabia’s website, by calling the call centre or through travel agencies.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi was formed following an agreement by Etihad Airways and Air Arabia to establish an independent joint venture company that will operate as a low-cost passenger airline with Abu Dhabi International Airport as its hub.

The capital’s first low-cost carrier follows the business model of Air Arabia and complements the services of Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi thereby catering to the growing low-cost travel market segment in the region.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced earlier a codeshare agreement with Abu Dhabi’s first low-cost airline, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi.

“Effective form 9th July, Etihad placed its ‘EY’ code on Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s inaugural flight from Abu Dhabi to the Egyptian city of Alexandria on Tuesday, followed by the Nile city of Sohag the next day.”

The new agreement enables guests to book Etihad flights in conjunction with Air Arabia Abu Dhabi services, connecting its global route network beyond the UAE capital to new airline’s routes. Etihad plans to add further codeshare destinations to the partnership scope as more Air Arabia Abu Dhabi destinations are announced in the coming weeks. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi was formed following an agreement by Etihad Airways and Air Arabia to establish an independent joint venture company that will operate as a low-cost passenger airline with Abu Dhabi International Airport as its hub.

The airline will start its operations with two Airbus A320 aircraft based at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Etihad Airways, the official airline partner of UFC Fight Island, on Wednesday welcomed UFC President Dana White and welterweight champion Kamaru Usman on board. The UFC team flew from Las Vegas to Abu Dhabi ahead of Yas Island’s historic UFC Fight Island, which began on July 11.

Adel Al Ali, group CEO for Air Arabia said: “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 formed following an agreement by Etihad Airways and Air Arabia late last year.

WAM/Agencies