The New Nation - Internet Edition

BUSINESS REPORT

Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, announced on Sunday that it would launch service to Dhaka, Bangladesh starting June 8.

It will be Air Arabia's 40th destination worldwide and the 17th destination in South Asia.

Flights will initially operate four times per week between Dhaka and Air Arabia's hub in Sharjah.

Dhaka marks Air Arabia's second destination in Bangladesh, the other being Chittagong, which was introduced June last year.

Air Arabia will fly to Dhaka four times per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Air Arabia is a low-cost airline based in Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. It operates scheduled services to 32 destinations in the Middle East, North Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia. Its main base is Sharjah International Airport. Air Arabia is a member of the Arab Air Carriers Organization.

Air Arabia was established on February 3, 2003 by an Ameeri decree issued by Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohamed Al Qassimi, 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 October 28, 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. Based in Sharjah International Airport, Air Arabia's passengers benefit from quick access to Dubai, low congestion and access to many other commercial carriers served at the airport.

The Air Arabia fleet consists of the following aircraft as of October 2007: 16 Airbus A320-200. One of them is leased from Vueling Airlines from 15/03/2008 and for about one and half year. It's registration is A6-ABZ. It has also ordered for 28 more A320s aircraft.