Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, announced today that it will launch twice-weekly service from Sharjah, UAE, to Samara, Russia, beginning October 26, 2009.

The introduction of service to this major Russian city, located on the banks of the Volga River, marks Air Arabia’s third destination in Eastern Europe, following the earlier launch of direct flights from Sharjah to Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Kiev, Ukraine. In total, Air Arabia now serves 59 destinations from two hubs in UAE and Morocco and across the wide Middle East, North Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Africa, Central Asia and Europe.

Roundtrip flights will operate twice per week between Samara Airport and Air Arabia’s UAE hub in Sharjah. The low-cost carrier will fly to Samara Mondays and Fridays, departing Sharjah at 9:10 and arriving in Samara at 13:40. On the same days, return flights will depart Samara at 14:40 and arrive in Sharjah at 19:05.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the launch of direct service to Samara, our third destination in Eastern Europe,” said AK Nizar, Head of Commercial Department, Air Arabia. “Given the historical, trade and tourism ties linking the Gulf and the states of Eastern Europe, especially Russia, we are confident that passengers will appreciate the opportunity to travel to Samara with Air Arabia, availing of our market-leading low fares, comfort and convenience.”

Samara is among the top 10 Russian cities in terms of national income and industrial volumes. It is situated in the southeastern part of European Russia, in the Volga Federal District. A large and important social, political, economic, industrial and cultural centre of European Russia, with a metropolitan population in excess of 3 million, Samara played host to the European Union-Russia Summit in 2007.