AIR ARABIA will create history this month when it becomes the first low-cost airline from the Middle East and Africa to enter the Chinese market. Starting on February 10, the carrier will fly regular non-stop services to Urumqi, the largest city in Western China.
Located in the Xinjiang district, Urumqi is an industrial city of 3.3 million people and a major transportation hub in the region. It has been described as the gateway to the vast region of Xinjiang, which offers some of the best bazaars, hiking, outdoor sports and natural beauty in the country as well as being the location of large oil and natural gas reserves. “The Chinese aviation sector has witnessed tremendous growth in recent years and we are delighted to be the first low-cost carrier from the Middle East & North Africa (Mena) region to play an important role in this incredible story,” says Adel A. Ali, group chief executive officer, Air Arabia. “We have had our eye on the Chinese market for some time and are now ready to begin regular services to one of the world’s great economies. With a large population, strong economy and vibrant cultural scene, Urumqi represents an exciting first Chinese destination for us and we hope to add more routes over time. This is a major move for Air Arabia and an important step in strengthening connectivity between the rapidly growing economies of the Middle East and Asia.” Air Arabia will fly three times weekly to Urumqi from its main hub in Sharjah, UAE. Flights will depart Sharjah International Airport on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 09:35, arriving at Urumqi International Airport at 18:15 that evening. Return flights will leave Urumqi on the same days at 19:05 and arrive in Sharjah at 20:45.The flight schedule will slightly change between March 29 and October 24, 2015 as flights will depart Sharjah International Airport at 09:05, arriving at Urumqi International Airport at 18:10. Meanwhile, return flights will leave Urumqi on the same days at 19:05 and arrive in Sharjah at 20:20.JORDAN HUBIn other news, Air Arabia has announced a new international hub at Amman Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan, its fifth fixed-based operation globally, following the acquisition of a 49 per cent stake in Petra Airlines. The deal will see the existing principle shareholder of Perta Airlines ‘RUM Group’ maintain a 51 per cent stake. The new partnership will also lead to the creation of ‘Air Arabia Jordan’ and will reinforce the airline’s leadership of the low-cost aviation market in the Mena and Levant region. Operations are expected to commence in the first quarter of this year.