Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, the capital’s low-cost airline, has launched its latest route linking Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s capital, to Yekaterinburg, Russia. According to a statement, this new non-stop service is set to begin on December 27, 2024, operating twice weekly and providing travelers with convenient access between Zayed International Airport and Koltsovo International Airport.
Enhancing travel options
Adel Al Ali, group chief executive officer of Air Arabia, expressed enthusiasm about the new Yekaterinburg route, stating that the airline is thrilled to introduce this connection, marking the second Russian city served following Moscow. He noted that this route enhances Abu Dhabi’s connectivity with vital destinations, broadening travel options for passengers and contributing to the growth of the UAE’s travel and tourism sectors. He emphasized the airline’s dedication to offering affordable, value-oriented air travel, strengthening ties between the UAE and Russia, and providing travelers with more opportunities to discover new destinations.
Expanding route network
With the addition of Yekaterinburg, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi now operates 29 routes directly from the capital, including cities such as Ahmedabad, Alexandria, Almaty, Amman, Baghdad, Bahrain, Baku, Beirut, Cairo, Chittagong, Chennai, Colombo, Dhaka, Faisalabad, Kathmandu, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Kuwait, Moscow, Multan, Muscat, Salalah, Sabiha, Sohag, Tashkent, Tbilisi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Trabzon.
New Maldives connection
Earlier this month, Sharjah Airport and Air Arabia celebrated the initiation of the first direct flight from Sharjah to the Maldives on October 27, 2024. This accomplishment is a significant milestone for Sharjah in the global travel and tourism domain. Air Arabia will operate daily flights between Sharjah Airport and Velana International Airport in Malé, Maldives, using Airbus A320 aircraft.
Resuming Jeddah flights
In October 2024, Air Arabia also announced the resumption of direct flights between Ras Al Khaimah and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. These flights, starting December 15, 2024, will run three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, providing travelers with added convenience and flexibility.
Strengthening Ras Al Khaimah connections
Currently, Air Arabia’s Ras Al Khaimah network connects to several major cities, including Cairo, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, and Calicut, in addition to the newly introduced route to Moscow. Furthermore, in September 2024, the airline expanded operations from Ras Al Khaimah with a new route linking Moscow Domodedovo International Airport to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport. This non-stop service, starting December 27, 2024, will operate three times weekly, enhancing direct connectivity between the two cities.
Innovative home check-in service
Additionally, last month, Air Arabia partnered with Morafiq, a leading company specializing in innovative airport services, to introduce a new home check-in service for passengers flying from Abu Dhabi. This service allows customers to check in their luggage and collect their boarding passes from the comfort of their homes, significantly improving the travel experience by saving time and minimizing wait times at the airport.
Convenient check-in experience
With the home check-in service, travelers can complete their check-in process, receive boarding passes, and hand over their luggage to dedicated Morafiq staff before heading to the airport. Passengers in Abu Dhabi can book this service via the Morafiq app or website, as well as through Air Arabia’s website or customer service. A Morafiq representative will come to the passenger’s home to collect their luggage and provide boarding passes. Upon arrival at the airport, travelers can bypass the check-in counters and head directly to security. This service can be booked from five to 24 hours prior to flight departure.
Read more: Air Arabia sees net profit rise 27 percent to $408 million in 2023
Expanding European routes
In September 2024, Air Arabia also announced new direct flights between Sharjah and Warsaw, Poland. Beginning December 20, 2024, the airline will operate five weekly non-stop flights utilizing Airbus A321 aircraft, linking Sharjah International Airport with Warsaw Chopin Airport. This new route establishes Warsaw as the second Polish city served by Air Arabia, following Krakow, and highlights the airline’s commitment to expanding its European network and enhancing travel options for leisure and business travelers. Passengers can book flights through the airline’s website, customer service center, or travel agencies.
Strong financial performance
In August 2024, Air Arabia shared strong financial and operational results for the second quarter and first half of 2024, further solidifying its position in the market as it continues to grow its network. The airline reported a net profit of AED427 million ($116.25 million) for the second quarter ending June 30, 2024, which was a 7 percent decrease from the AED459 million ($124.96 million) reported during the same period in 2023.
Passenger growth trends
Air Arabia achieved a turnover of AED1.65 billion ($449.22 million), reflecting a 19 percent increase compared to the prior year’s second quarter. Over 4.5 million passengers flew with Air Arabia Group across its operating hubs during this period, marking a 19 percent increase from the 3.8 million passengers carried in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The airline’s average seat load factor, which indicates the percentage of available seats occupied, rose by 3 percent to an impressive 79 percent in the second quarter of 2024.
Year-to-date financial overview
For the first half of 2024 (January to June), Air Arabia reported a net profit of AED693 million ($188.67 million), a 13 percent decrease from AED801 million recorded during the same timeframe in 2023. The airline achieved a turnover of AED3.19 billion ($868.5 million), reflecting a 13 percent increase compared to the AED2.82 billion registered in the first half of the previous year. Over 8.9 million passengers traveled with Air Arabia during this period, representing a 16 percent growth compared to the same period last year, while the airline’s average seat load factor remained strong at 81 percent.
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