Air Arabia to expand Asia coverage with third hub
Air Arabia, the Sharjah-based budget airline, will reach new destinations in Asia in the next 18 months after it opens a new hub in the continent, but it has ruled out hosting the hub in India.
By PTI |
DUBAI: Air Arabia, the Sharjah-based budget airline, will reach new destinations in Asia in the next 18 months after it opens a new hub in the continent, but it has ruled out hosting the hub in India.
With a third hub to the east, CEO Adel Ali said the airline will serve new destinations in the burgeoning Asian market.
"We are looking east," Ali was quoted as saying. "We're looking at things overall in the Arab world and some points outside as well," he noted, adding India had been ruled out as a potential base.
Air Arabia plans to open the new hubs in the next six to 18 months, and is engaged in negotiations with civil aviation authorities, the chief executive said.
To complete its expansion, the airline is in talks with Boeing and Airbus for the purchase of 34 aircraft, likely the A320 family of Airbus aircraft or Boeing's range of 737s. The new aircraft will be used to enhance its schedules to India, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and begin new routes to India. The carrier currently flies to 34 destinations with a fleet of nine aircraft.
With a third hub to the east, CEO Adel Ali said the airline will serve new destinations in the burgeoning Asian market.
"We are looking east," Ali was quoted as saying. "We're looking at things overall in the Arab world and some points outside as well," he noted, adding India had been ruled out as a potential base.
Air Arabia plans to open the new hubs in the next six to 18 months, and is engaged in negotiations with civil aviation authorities, the chief executive said.
To complete its expansion, the airline is in talks with Boeing and Airbus for the purchase of 34 aircraft, likely the A320 family of Airbus aircraft or Boeing's range of 737s. The new aircraft will be used to enhance its schedules to India, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and begin new routes to India. The carrier currently flies to 34 destinations with a fleet of nine aircraft.
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