Air Arabia (PJSC), the first and largest LCC in the Middle East and North Africa, announced today that it has taken delivery of the first of 44 A320 aircraft ordered in 2007 and 2008 (34 placed in 2007 and 10 placed in 2008).

The airline, which celebrates its seventh anniversary this month, received the new aircraft during a signing ceremony that took place on October 22, at the Airbus facility in Hamburg, Germany.

The delivery of the 44 aircraft order will take place between 2010 and 2016, and will more than double the size of Air Arabia’s existing fleet of 23 aircraft, in line with its aim to increase its total operating fleet to over 50 aircraft by 2016.

“Our aim to become one of the world’s leading airlines in terms of profit margin, innovation, reputation, and operational excellence has taken a step closer to reality with today’s delivery of our first of 44 Airbus A320 aircraft. As we receive more aircraft in the months to come, we will expand our network to further expand our operations in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa,” said Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman, Air Arabia.

“We have chosen to invest in the Airbus A320 line due to the outstanding record this type of aircraft enjoys, in which our valued customers will directly benefit from. We look forward to the delivery of the second aircraft in December 2010, and we anticipate even greater growth in the coming years.”

“We are delighted Air Arabia has placed their trust in our A320 and we look forward to working together to achieving their ambitious expansion plans. The A320 is without doubt the leading single aisle product, delivering unbeatable productivity and passenger comfort,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

Air Arabia already operates a fleet of 23 A320s. From its three main hubs, Sharjah in the UAE, Casablanca in Morocco and Alexandria in Egypt, the carrier serves a network of some 65 international routes spread across Europe, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, Central Asia and North Africa.

The A320 Family, which includes the A318, A319, A320 and A321, is recognised as the benchmark single-aisle aircraft family. Around 6,700 Airbus A320 Family aircraft have been sold to some 300 customers and operators worldwide, and over 4,400 A320 delivered, making it the world’s best selling commercial jetliner ever. With proven reliability and extended servicing periods, the A320 Family has the lowest operating costs of any single aisle aircraft. Uniquely, the A320 Family offers a containerized cargo system, which is compatible with the world-wide standard wide-body system.