Sharjah-based budget airline Air Arabia has revealed its new route connecting Sharjah to Sochi, Russia. The upcoming non-stop flights will link Sharjah International Airport with Sochi International Airport, operating three times a week starting June 27, 2025.
Adel Al Ali, group chief executive officer of Air Arabia, stated, “This new connection reflects our commitment to providing customers with more travel options and contributing to the growth of tourism and trade between the two countries. We look forward to welcoming customers onboard this exciting new service.”
According to a statement, Sochi marks the sixth Russian city that Air Arabia will serve directly from Sharjah, joining Moscow, Kazan, Samara, Ufa, and Yekaterinburg.
Additionally, the airline offers non-stop flights from its UAE hubs, including routes from Ras Al Khaimah to Moscow and from Abu Dhabi to Yekaterinburg. This expansion highlights Air Arabia’s dedication to enhancing connectivity between the UAE and Russia, promoting tourism, trade, and cultural exchange between the two nations.
Read more: Air Arabia launches Sharjah-Yanbu flights, bringing UAE-Saudi routes to 12
Air Arabia reports $484.6 million in revenue in Q3 2024
In November 2024, Air Arabia announced remarkable financial and operational results for the third quarter and the first nine months of 2024. For the third quarter ending September 30, 2024, the airline reported a net profit of AED564 million ($153.5 million), an 8 percent increase from the AED522 million earned in the same quarter of 2023. The airline’s revenue reached AED1.78 billion ($484.6 million), marking a 10 percent rise compared to the previous year’s third quarter.
Passenger growth and demand
From July to September 2024, more than 5.1 million passengers traveled with Air Arabia Group across its various operating hubs, reflecting an 8 percent growth from the 4.7 million passengers served in the same quarter the prior year. The average seat load factor—indicating the percentage of filled available seats—rose by 2 percent, reaching 81 percent in the third quarter of 2024, underscoring the strong demand for Air Arabia’s services.
Performance overview for the first nine months of 2024
In the first nine months of 2024 (January to September), Air Arabia reported a net profit of AED1.25 billion, representing a 5 percent decline from AED1.32 billion recorded during the same period in 2023. The airline’s revenue for this timeframe was AED4.98 billion, reflecting a 12 percent increase compared to the AED4.45 billion achieved in the first nine months of the previous year.
During this period, over 14 million passengers flew with Air Arabia, indicating a 13 percent increase compared to the same timeframe last year. The airline’s average seat load factor also improved by 2 percent, reaching a strong 82 percent for the first nine months of 2024. As of the end of September 2024, Air Arabia maintained a robust liquidity position, with AED4.9 billion in cash and cash equivalents.
Fleet and network expansion
In the first nine months of this year, Air Arabia expanded its fleet by adding six new aircraft, bringing its total to 77 owned and leased Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. During this same period, the airline enhanced its network by launching 22 new routes across its operating hubs in the UAE, Morocco, Egypt, and Pakistan.