Air Arabia , the first and largest low cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, announced today it has taken its third aircraft delivery of 2012, bringing its total operating fleet to 31 aircraft.

The new aircraft has gone straight into service across Air Arabia ’s 75 destination network served from the carrier main hubs in UAE, Morocco and Egypt. Air Arabia expects to take delivery of another three aircraft in 2012.

The latest Airbus A320 arrived on schedule from Airbus facility in Toulouse, France, marking the delivery of a total of 11 out of 44 A320 aircraft ordered back in 2007. Once completed in 2016, the delivery of the 44 A320 aircraft will more than double the size of Air Arabia ’s existing fleet, bringing the airline’s total operating fleet to over 50 aircraft.

"We are pleased to have received the eleventh aircraft on-time and as per schedule," said Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia . "Since inception, Air Arabia has remained focused on growing its fleet organically to offer customers wider range of destinations at great value. As we continue to expand our fleet, we look forward to strengthening our operations across geographies in which we are present today, further delivering exceptional value to our customers."

Air Arabia continues to showcase impressive operational performance. Recently, the airline was awarded the World’s second best performing airline by Aviation Week, the leading global aviation magazine. The airline also reported last week that it has welcomed 1.3 million passengers in the second quarter of 2012, an increase of over 15 per cent compared to the corresponding period in 2011.

All Air Arabia aircraft interior cabin is fitted with a world-class comfort seats offering highest seat pitch of any economy cabin across the globe and therefore, offering passengers extra leg room to sit back and relax during their flight.