Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, today reported that it carried a record 1,445,783 passengers in first quarter ending March 31, 2013, a 17.5 per cent growth compared to the first quarter 2012.

The significant growth in passenger numbers is a testimony to the airline’s growing network and the appealing value for money product. In the first quarter of 2013, the airline has launched flights from its primary hub in Sharjah to Sialkot in Pakistan, Baghdad in Iraq and Mattala in Sri Lanka. The airline also increased frequencies to many exiting routes. Air Arabia currently serves 85 Global routes from its hubs in the UAE, Morocco and Egypt.

“Air Arabia continues to witness significant growth in passenger numbers, and this demonstrates the popularity of the airline’s value for money and excellent service,” said Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia. “Air Arabia will continue to set the standard for the low-cost travel segment, offering great fares to an ever growing range of destinations.”

Air Arabia took delivery of two brand new sharklet equipped Airbus A320 aircraft. The delivery is part of an order of 44 aircraft placed in 2007. The delivery of eth aircraft will be completed by 2016, and will more than double the size of Air Arabia’s fleet.