Tuesday, July 16 2013

 The low cost carrier Air Arabia is returning to the Armenian market and will launch Sharjah-Yerevan-Sharjah regular flights on 16 August 2013, Husam Raidan, Air Arabia Airline Head of Corporate Clients and Customer Relations Department, said at a press conference on Tuesday. 

He said that the flights will depart from Sharjah International Airport on Tuesdays and Fridays at 08:30, arriving at Zvartnots International Airport at 11.15. Return flights will depart on the same days, leaving Yerevan at 12:35 and arriving in Sharjah at 15.40 (local time).

Husam Raidan said that from the 16th to the 30th of August 2013 the tickets for Yerevan - Sharjah - Yerevan flights will cost 175 U.S. dollars. The return ticket for Yerevan- Sharjah-Sri Lanka flights will cost 550 USD. Air Arabia has a special surprise for the Media Representatives -30% discount on tickets in case of professional identification document available.

When asked by ArmInfo why the company has deicided to return to the Armenian market if it operated in that market not so successfully, Husam Raidan replied: "Return to the markets is the model of the company's business".   To note, Air Arabia entered the Armenian market in 2005 and stopped the flights in 2006. Husam Raidan pointed out that the market has changed for the better and that the company will contribute to tourism development. 

Air Arabia is the first and largest low cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa region. At the press conference the speakers also conveyed the message from Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia: "We recognize Armenia as an appealing destination favorable to both tourists and business men internationally. Strategically located, Yerevan is a cultural melting pot and brings together the world's most diverse ethnicities," says Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia. "Yerevan compliments Air Arabia's extensive Eastern European network and offers Armenians convenient connections across the Indian Subcontinent, Middle East and Levant region".
Air Arabia (PJSC), listed on the Dubai Financial Market, is the Middle East and North Africa's leading low-cost carrier. Air Arabia commenced operations in October 2003.
Husam Raidan is not concerned with the fact that Fly Dubai has been operating in Armenia since 2010. "Healthy competition will be useful. In addition, we have low prices and many other advantages", he said. 

Air Arabia has carried a record 32 million passengers since its launch and more than 1.4 million in the first quarter of 2013. The company's fleet has 33 A320 planes.