Air Arabia breaks passenger record in first quarter of 2013

Air Arabia, reported today that it carried a record 1,445,783 passengers in first quarter ending March 31, 2013, a 17.5 per cent growth compared to the first quarter 2012.
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“Air Arabia continues to witness significant growth in passenger numbers, and this demonstrates the popularity of the airline’s value for money and excellent service,” said Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia. “Air Arabia will continue to set the standard for the low-cost travel segment, offering great fares to an ever growing range of destinations.”
 
Air Arabia took delivery of two brand new sharklet equipped Airbus A320 aircraft. The delivery is part of an order of 44 aircraft placed in 2007. The delivery of eth aircraft will be completed by 2016, and will more than double the size of Air Arabia’s fleet. 
 

Industry analyst Saj Ahmad said: "Air Arabia's robust passenger performance for the first quarter of 2013 underlines the inherent vibrancy and strength of the low cost market in the Middle East.

 

Where critics have claimed that there are too many carriers, the reality is that Air Arabia, along with its competition like flydubai, are catering for a market whose demand is currently expanding and is far from being saturated. Given the aggressive expansion and development of air traffic services, notably led by the UAE, Air Arabia has demonstrated to good effect that its low fares, transparent pricing and diverse route network is still pulling in customers from across the GCC and beyond.

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