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Air Arabia
Founded	3 February 2003
Commenced operations	28 October 2003
Bases	Sharjah International Airport
Alliance	Arab Air Carriers Organization
Subsidiaries	Air Arabia Egypt; Air Arabia Maroc;
Fleet size	17 (+44 orders)
Destinations	46
Headquarters	Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Key people	Adel Ali (CEO)
Website	www.airarabia.com

Air Arabia is a low-cost airline based in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. It operates scheduled services to 46 destinations in the Middle East, North Africa, the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia and Europe. Its main base is Sharjah International Airport.^[1] Air Arabia is a member of the Arab Air Carriers Organization.

[edit] History

Air Arabia (العربية للطيران) was established on 3 February 2003 by an Amiri decree issued by Dr. Sultan bin Mohamed Al-Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah and member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates, becoming the first low-fare airline in the region. The airline started operations on 28 October 2003 with the first flight from Sharjah, UAE to Bahrain International Airport. It issued a successful initial public offering for 55% of its stock early in 2007.^[1] The airline is based at Sharjah International Airport.^[1]

[edit] New Hubs

The A320 is the focal aircraft for the airline

North Africa

Air Arabia in a joint venture with Moroccan investors have established Air Arabia Maroc and set up a secondary hub in Morocco's largest city,Casablanca; it began operations on 6 May 2009, allowing them to expand into Europe and Africa. A third hub is being pondered with Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport said to be favored.

On 9 September 2009, Air Arabia announced Air Arabia Egypt to be based in Egypt.^[2]

South Asia

In 2007 Air Arabia opened a new hub in Nepal's capital Kathmandu to serve Asia and the Middle East, with the signing of a joint venture agreement with Yeti Airlines, establishing a low-cost carrier, called Fly Yeti that provided affordable and convenient service to a broad range of international destinations. Due to the uncertain political and economic situation prevailing in Nepal, FlyYeti operations were suspended since early 2008.

[edit] Destinations

Main article: Air Arabia destinations

[edit] Fleet

The Air Arabia fleet consists of the following aircraft (at July 2009):^[3]

**Air Arabia Fleet**
Type	In Service	Orders	Passengers (Economy)	Routes	Notes
Airbus A320-200	17	44	162	Africa, Asia, Europe	All 17 leased
Total	17	44

[edit] Incidents

On 6 May 2006 an Air Arabia aircraft, on lease from American International Airways, was damaged beyond repair (and thus written-off) after a fire in hangar 4 of Brussels Airport. All four aircraft in the hangar were lost in this fire^[4]

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b ^c "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International: p. 52. 2007-03-27.
^ Air Arabia announced new Egyptian airline
^ Air Arabia fleet at ch-aviation
^ Aviation-Safety site on Fire in Brussels Airport, visited 10 May 2009

[edit] External links

Air Arabia

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[FI-0] "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International: p. 52. 2007-03-27.

[1] Air Arabia announced new Egyptian airline

[2] Air Arabia fleet at ch-aviation

[3] Aviation-Safety site on Fire in Brussels Airport, visited 10 May 2009

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