Air Arabia, a leading low-cost carrier, today (May 7) marked the start of operations from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport with the airline’s inaugural flight leaving for Jeddah.

The official opening ceremony was attended by Sheikh Mohamed Bin Saud Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, chairman, Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Ras Al Khaimah and Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, chairman of Air Arabia.

Today’s launch of operations follows the recent establishment of an Air Arabia hub at RAK International Airport, which is the airline’s fourth international base, and second in the UAE.

Two new Airbus A320 aircraft have now been based in Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, following a strategic partnership signed between the airline and Ras Al Khaimah Department of Civil Aviation.

Air Arabia launch routes include direct services to Jeddah, Cairo, Muscat, Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar in Pakistan; Dhaka in Bangladesh; and to be followed by Calicut in India. The airline will offer some 25 weekly launch flights from its Ras Al Khaimah hub to these destinations.

“Today we mark another milestone in the UAE aviation success and growth journey,” said Al Qasimi. “Our partnership with Air Arabia will allow us to increase the accessibility of Ras Al Khaimah to international passengers, whilst also increasing the flow of tourism to the Emirates, which will have a direct effect on the local economy.

“This step further signifies the important role we place in developing the aviation scene in the emirate which in return will support the ambitious plans we have set for developing the emirate’s tourism and business sectors.”

Al Thani said: “We are delighted to extend our reach across the UAE through our new hub in Ras Al Khaimah and this partnership marks an exciting new era for air travel in the Emirates. The establishment of our operations in RAK International Airport testifies the synergy between the emirate’s tourism expansion plans and Air Arabia’s ambitious route expansion strategy.

“We look forward to extending our routes from RAK as we continue to make travel more convenient for people living and working in the Northern Emirates.” – TradeArabia News Service