Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, today announced that it has added its second destination in Sri Lanka with the launch of non-stop flights to Mattala. The new route marks Air Arabia’s 84th destination worldwide. The inaugural flight G9508 will take off to Mattala on March 18, 2013.

The low-cost pioneer will operate two weekly services between Sharjah and Mattala, to be increased to four times weekly starting May 19 2013. On Thursdays and Sundays, flights depart from Sharjah International Airport at 21:30 and arrives Mattala Hambantota International Airport at 03:45. Return flights on the will depart next day from Mattala at 04:25 and arrive in Sharjah at 07:35 (local time).

Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: “Today’s announcement is a continuation of Air Arabia’s longstanding commitment to expand our presence in the Indian Subcontinent. Just a few months after our inception in 2003, we launched a direct service to Colombo, which was our first destination in the Subcontinent, and we are delighted to now add a second route to the country. Our new service to Mattala is in direct response to passenger demand, and while contribute to the trade and tourism ties between UAE and Sri Lanka.”

The launch of services to Mattala will complement Air Arabia’s existing nine weekly flights from Sharjah to Colombo. The airline currently offers daily flights to the capital city, and twice daily on Tuesdays and Fridays.