Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, today announced that it has added its third destination in Russia with the launch of flights to Kazan. The new route is Air Arabia’s fourth destination in Russia and will become the carrier’s ninth destination in CIS and Russian Federation, as well as its 78th worldwide.

As part of its route expansion strategy in the Russian Federation and CIS region, Air Arabia also launches an additional weekly service to Yekaterinburg. With the launch of the additional services, Air Arabia will now operate more than 30 weekly flights to Russia and CIS region.

Air Arabia will offer services to Kazan on Wednesdays and Saturdays, departing from Sharjah International Airport at 12:30 pm and arriving at Kazan International Airport at 17:30 pm. Return flights will depart from Kazan on the same days at 19:00 pm and arrive in Sharjah at 11:59 pm (local time).

The carrier has also introduced additional service Yekaterinburg, departing Sharjah International Airport at 9:30 am and arriving Yekaterinburg at 16:15 pm. Return flights will depart from Yekaterinburg at 17:15 pm and arrive in Sharjah at 20:15 pm (local time). The additional service will complement Air Arabia’s existing twice weekly services to Yekaterinburg.

“The launch of our non-stop service to Kazan is a continuation of Air Arabia’s promise to customer’s to expand its Eastern European presence and offer value for money fares to multiple destinations in the Russian Federation,” said Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia. “We have marked our expansion into Russia last October and with this new service, Air Arabia will further contribute to the ever strengthening social and economic ties between the UAE and Russia.”

Since launching operations to Russia in October 2011, Air Arabia has seen promising appeal for customers between the UAE and Russia. The airline is committed to using its infrastructure to improve its connectivity with increased services to more destinations in Russia and the wider CIS region. The airline recently launched services to Ufa in Russia and Odessa, its fourth destination in Ukraine. Air Arabia is UAE’s first airline to enter Odessa.