• Air Arabia’s third hub after UAE and Morocco
• Carrier to serve Europe, Middle East and Africa markets
• Commercial flights to start beginning of June 2010

Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, announced today that it has received its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) from the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority, clearing the way for the imminent launch of Air Arabia ‘Egypt’, the carrier’s Alexandria-based joint venture company. Formed in cooperation with the Travco Group, the Middle East’s largest travel and hospitality group, Air Arabia Egypt operations from Alexandria Burj Al Arab Airport will start beginning of June with flights to Khartoum and Kuwait.

The new carrier will serve the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) markets, and represents Air Arabia’s third hub after the UAE and Morocco. Air Arabia operations from Egypt will start with two aircraft serving selective number of destinations across the region.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, Chairman of Air Arabia Group said: “We thank the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authorities for their continuous support and we look forward to start our services from Alexandria’s Burj Al Arab International Airport beginning of June. Air Arabia is continuously expanding to offer a wider segment of customers the best value for money choice for air travel. We are confident that Air Arabia ‘Egypt’ will pursue the success path that our hubs in the UAE and Morocco have followed, by complementing our ever growing network of destinations.” 

Commenting on the occasion, Hamed El Chiaty, Chairman and CEO of Travco Group said: “We are delighted to announce that Air Arabia Egypt has received its Air Operators Certificate ‘AOC’ and we look forward to shortly providing service from our new hub in the heart of the Arab world”..

“During this period of continuous growth and prosperity in the Egyptian Travel and Tourism sector, we are confident of the positive role Air Arabia Egypt will play in this respect. Travellers in Egypt and the wider EMEA region will benefit from the value-for-money fares, excellent service and growing range of destinations provided by Air Arabia Egypt.” continued El Chiaty.

Building upon Air Arabia’s existing service to 60 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, the new airline will contribute to the ongoing development of the Egyptian travel and tourism sector as well as offer a larger base of customers the best value-for-money air travel options.