Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, announced today the launch of service to Sohag, Egypt, from its hub in Sharjah, UAE starting December 27, 2010.

Air Arabia is the first UAE-based airline to offer services to Sohag. Located on the western bank of the Nile, Sohag is Air Arabia’s fourth destination in Egypt. With the addition of this new destination, Air Arabia now serves 67 routes from three hubs in the UAE, Morocco and Egypt.

Roundtrip flights will operate three times per week between Mubarak International Airport and Sharjah International Airport. The low-cost carrier will fly to Sohag on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays, departing Sharjah at 7:30 AM and arriving in Sohag at 9:30 AM. On the same days, return flights will depart Sohag at 10:10 AM and arrive in Sharjah at 3:15 PM.

“Air Arabia is pleased to become the first UAE-based carrier to launch service to Sohag, our fourth destination in Egypt and 67th globally,” said AK Nizar, Head of Commercial Department, Air Arabia. “Today’s announcement marks another milestone for Air Arabia’s strong network, providing value-for-money connectivity to Middle East travellers.”

Sohag lies on a fertile agricultural plain of the Nile, and is a key cultural centre of Upper Egypt. Sohag boasts of several Roman-era mummies, prominent mosques, churches as well as white and red monasteries from the Coptic times.