By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: Born in a Pandemic: AirArabia Abu Dhabi Takes to the Skies!
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Signin Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2025 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > Born in a Pandemic: AirArabia Abu Dhabi Takes to the Skies!

Born in a Pandemic: AirArabia Abu Dhabi Takes to the Skies!

Travel Radar
Last updated: 15 July 2020 05:39
By Travel Radar Staff
4 Min Read
Share
AirArabia A320-neo
SHARE

In a time when commercial aviation is struggling the most, the birth of a new airline is almost unfathomable. We’ve been listening to the sad stories of airline losses, bankruptcies, grounded fleets and more. But Abu Dhabi is one city where airline activity is picking pace. In fact, two players have recently emerged in the UAE capital.

One of those two is AirArabia Abu Dhabi.

On 14 July, the brand-new airline flew an Airbus A320 from Abu Dhabi to the city of Alexandria, Egypt, on what marked its maiden flight. A second flight is scheduled to fly passengers to another Egyptian city — Sohag — as of today at 2:20 pm local time.

The Chief Executive of the AirArabia group, Adel Al Ali shared his thoughts:

We are delighted for the launch of Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s first flight and we thank all partners who supported us in achieving today’s milestone. We look forward to expanding Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s destination network as more airports open up while providing our customers with a new value-for-money option to travel from and into the capital.

AirArabia Abu Dhabi is a joint venture between Etihad Airways and AirArabia. As part of the codeshare agreement between the two airlines, the new carrier will benefit from Etihad’s global list of connections.

Why are LCCs Springing Up?

AirArabia
© AirArabia

The Middle East is a growing market for low-cost carriers. Unlike Europe, there isn’t a long list of LCCs that subsidize air travel in the region. Emirates, Etihad and Qatar — with their massive route networks — still constitute of the majority of market share.

But since the coronavirus has struck, both domestic and international air travel have collapsed in the Middle East. This has, in turn, created a new-found opportunity for LCCs. Let’s explore how.

AirArabia 6000th delivery
© AirArabia

In Europe, we’ve seen how budget carriers are dominating and contributing to a steady growth in the region. Ryanair, EasyJet and Wizz Air — to name a few — have recently rebooted their entire route networks to meet recovering demand. And they’ve actually received a favourable response to their summer offerings. Ryanair, for instance, reported “very strong” bookings from holidaymakers earlier this month.

However, the Middle East is far from this. This is because it lacks a robust network of budget airlines which could contribute to recovery and cheap air travel. Moreover, the LCC fleet in the Middle East is also very small. Only 200 aircraft are operated by LCCs in the Middle East and Africa; representing just 3% of the global LCC fleet.

This leaves room for LCCs to rival their more-established counterparts; by offering cheaper alternatives. Obviously, there is a long way to go for LCCs in the region to reach this point, but previous trends — 9.3% increase in seat capacity last year — indicate that growth in the sector is indeed imminent.

Despite a global pandemic, AirArabia Abu Dhabi has taken its first humble steps and its future looks promising.

What do you think of Etihad and AirArabia’s new joint-venture? Let us know in the comments!

You Might Also Like

Aeromexico secures financial future with $1.1 billion bond offering
WestJet Halifax to Amsterdam Non-Stop Flight
Srinagar Airport Struggling to Enforce COVID-19 Protocol
United 737 Rejects Takeoff Due to ATC Error
Hawaiian Airlines to Resume Flights Between Honolulu and Tahiti
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love0
Sad1
Happy0
Angry0
Travel Radar
ByTravel Radar Staff
Follow:
Articles from guest contributors wishing to remain anonymous are credited to this account. Want to contribute to Travel Radar either in-name, or anonymously? Get in touch: [email protected]
Previous Article Air Albania Launches Flights to London Stansted
Next Article Ferry on Lake Garda in Italy Italy Closes Borders to Some Countries; Reverses Aircraft Overhead Locker Ban
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest

guest

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

Air New Zealand
IATA Launches the Integrated Sustainability Program
Airline Economics Airlines Aviation
United Airlines Aircraft
United Airlines Flight Diverted Due to Cockpit Windshield Crack
Aircraft Aviation Breaking News
Illustration of a passport and approved visa documents symbolising international travel under the US airlines gender marker rule.
US Airlines Gender Marker Rule Takes Effect for International Flights
Airlines Aviation Travel
A China Eastern Airlines Airbus A330 aircraft in the air.
China Eastern Airlines Relaunches Shanghai-Delhi Route
Airlines Aviation Route Development
An Air Arabia Airbus A320 aircraft in the air.
Safety Investigation Launched for Air Arabia Aircraft’s Plummet
Aircraft Aviation Incidents & Accidents
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • Latest News
  • Subscribe
  • Weekly Digest
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Media Coverage
  • Press & Events
  • Join Our Team
  • Our Brands

Signup to our Newsletter!

And get the latest aviation news via our weekly news digest!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Not a member? Sign Up