 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Founded | 16 October 2019 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commenced operations | 14 July 2020 | ||||||
| Hubs | Abu Dhabi International Airport | ||||||
| Frequent-flyer program | AirRewards | ||||||
| Alliance | Arab Air Carriers' Organization | ||||||
| Fleet size | 9 | ||||||
| Destinations | 29[2] | ||||||
| Parent company | Air Arabia (49%) Etihad Airways (51%)[3] | ||||||
| Website | www.airarabia.com | ||||||
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi is an Emirati low-cost airline. Created in October 2019 by Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways as a joint venture with Air Arabia to expand into the growing low-cost market,[4] it launched operations in July 2020.[5] It takes Abu Dhabi International Airport as its center of operations.
History
In October 2019 Etihad announced it would set up its own low-cost carrier in partnership with Sharjah based Air Arabia.[6] To that date the airline was the fifth in the UAE, and the first low-cost carrier in Abu Dhabi.[6] The announcement was given in a time when Etihad posted a third consecutive year of losses and after pursuing a strategy of investing in failing airlines and after the government owned Etihad began a five year transformation plan in 2017.[6][5]
Initially Air Arabia Abu Dhabi was supposed to launch operations in March 2020, with plans to fly to about a dozen destinations in Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Armenia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.[5]
In April 2020 Air Arabia Abu Dhabi received its air operator certificate from UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority.[7] To that date the airline was yet to commit to a firm launch date due to the travel restrictions during the pandemic.[7]
On July 14, 2020 the airline was launched after the signing of an agreement between Etihad Airways and Air Arabia.[5] The airline started with two based A320-200.[8]
In June 2021 the outbound load factors reached more than 70% while inbound load factors were “much lighter”.[9]
In September 2021 Air Arabia Abu Dhabi expected its annual traffic to grow by 20% to 25% over the upcoming five years.[10]
In October 2022 Air Arabia Abu Dhabi was the second largest carrier in Abu Dhabi with an 8 percent share of seats serving 24 destinations.[11]
Corporate affairs
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi supports the network of destinations and services provided by Etihad Airways, and in turn will meet the needs of the low-cost and growing travel sector in the region. Its board of directors, which is made up of members nominated by the two companies, is responsible for directing the company's independent strategy and developing its business.[12] Air Arabia Abu Dhabi is Etihad Airways’ first major investment, a change from its long-held relationship strategy of airline equity partnerships.[13] Air Arabia Abu Dhabi is expected to take over a number of former and present Etihad routes operated by single-aisle aircraft in the near future.[14]
The airline offers a similar service model to the rest of Air Arabia’s network.[5]
Competition
The ultra-low cost carrier Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has also a base in the Abu Dhabi International Airport. Regarding the short distance between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the hybrid airline Flydubai is a competitor.
Fleet
As of July 2023, the Air Arabia Abu Dhabi fleet consists of the following aircraft:[15][16]
| Aircraft | In service | Orders | Passengers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320-200 | 9 | 0 | 174 | |
| Total | 9 | 0 | ||
Fleet development
The airline expects to operate 20 planes by 2025.[17]
Destinations
As of September 2023, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi serves the following airports:[18]
Route development
The inaugural flight was to Alexandria on 14 July 2020. The second route started one day later to Sohag.[30]
Reported in July 2022, the airline’s CEO Adel Abdulla Ali said “We will put a circle around Abu Dhabi and wherever we find potential within four to six hours, we'd like to do those routes, including Europe”.[14]
In June 2021 the CEO said the CIS, Arab countries, Eastern Europe, and the Indian subcontinent are among the most attractive markets for the airline.[9]
In September 2022 Air Arabia Abu Dhabi announced Moscow as a new destination.[31]
In November 2022 the airline announced flights to the Russian airports of Yekaterinburg and Kazan.[32]
References
- ↑ "Airline Code Full Details - Wizz Air Abu Dhabi". avcodes.co.uk.
- ↑ "Air Arabia Abu Dhabi on ch-aviation". ch-aviation. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
- ↑ Abbas, Waheed (12 August 2020). "Etihad Airways To Create A Low Cost Carrier". Khaleej Times.
- ↑ Schlappig, Ben (16 October 2019). "Etihad Airways To Create A Low Cost Carrier". One Mile at a Time. PointsPros, Inc.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Schlappig, Ben (6 July 2020). "Air Arabia Abu Dhabi Launching Flights Next Week". One Mile at a Time. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- 1 2 3 "Etihad Eyes Flydubai Competition With New Low-Cost Carrier". Simple Flying. 16 October 2019.
- 1 2 "Abu Dhabi's New Low Cost Carrier Secures Operating Certificate". Simple Flying. 23 April 2020.
- ↑ "Air Arabia Abu Dhabi launches a new route to Moscow". World Airline News. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
- 1 2 3 "Air Arabia Abu Dhabi terminates Sarajevo". "EX-YU Aviation News". Retrieved 4 December 2022.
- ↑ "Etihad CEO: Air Arabia Abu Dhabi Has Exceeded Expectations". Simple Flying. 9 September 2021.
- ↑ "Air Arabia, Wizz Air Among Budget Airlines Gaining Share in Gulf Hub Shift". Airline Weekly. 31 October 2022.
- ↑ "Etihad announces codeshare partnership with Air Arabia Abu Dhabi". Aerotime Hub. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
- ↑ "Air Arabia Abu Dhabi Airline Profile". CAPA. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
- 1 2 "Air Arabia Abu Dhabi eyes greater Balkan presence". EX-YU Aviation. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
- ↑ "Air Arabia Abu Dhabi Fleet Details and History". www.planespotters.net. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
- ↑ Airbus Orders and Deliveries (XLS), monthly updated, accessed via "Orders & deliveries". Airbus. Airbus SAS. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
- ↑ "Air Arabia Abu Dhabi Expects To Operate 20 Planes By 2025". Simple Flying. 16 June 2021.
- 1 2 3 "Route map Air Arabia Abu Dhabi". Flightconnections. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ↑ "Air Arabia Online Booking". Air Arabia. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ↑ "Air Arabia Abu Dhabi to make European debut in early 3Q21". ch-aviation. 21 June 2021.
- ↑ "Air Arabia Abu Dhabi to begin direct flights to Baku from Sept 13". Gulf Business. 11 March 2023.
- ↑ "Air Arabia Abu Dhabi Returns To Baku Market". Routes Online. 26 May 2022.
- ↑ "Direct Flights From Jaipur To Abu Dhabi Frequently Cancelled Due To Low Passenger Load". "Curly Tales India Middle East". Retrieved 4 December 2022.
- ↑ "AirArabia to start Kol ops from Mar 15". Times Group. 7 February 2022.
- 1 2 "Air Arabia Abu Dhabi To Launch Baghdad & Erbil". Aviation Source News. 26 February 2023.
- ↑ "Wizz Air Reveals Iraq Expansion With Erbil Airbus A320 Family Flights". SimpleFlying. 21 July 2023.
- ↑ "Jordan Bound: Air Arabia Abu Dhabi To Begin Amman Flights". SimpleFlying. 4 February 2023.
- ↑ "Air Arabia Abu Dhabi Returns To Baku Market". Air Arabia. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
- ↑ "Air Arabia Abu Dhabi schedules 1Q24 Colombo launch". aeroroutes.com. 4 September 2023.
- ↑ "Air Arabia Abu Dhabi takes off with inaugural flight to Alexandria in Egypt". AlArabia News. 14 July 2020.
- ↑ "Air Arabia Abu Dhabi launches new route to Moscow". Connecting Travel. 30 September 2022.
- ↑ "Air Arabia Abu Dhabi launches new routes to Russia". BusinessTraveller. 28 November 2022.