Air Arabia Jordan, the kingdom’s new low cost carrier, today announced that it will commence operations from its Amman Queen Alia International Airport base in May this year.

The airline is managed by the UAE-based Air Arabia, a leading low-cost carrier.

Beginning with direct flights to four countries in the region, Air Arabia Jordan will greatly strengthen connectivity between Jordan and the Levant, Middle East, Europe and North Africa, said a statement.

Air Arabia Jordan's inaugural flight will take off to Kuwait city on Starting on May 18, followed by the launch of regular scheduled services to Jeddah, Erbil and Sharm El Sheikh on May 19, 20 and 21, respectively, with more destinations to be added later in the year, the airline said.

Earlier this year, Sharjah-based Air Arabia announced the establishment of its fifth international hub in Jordan following the acquisition of a 49 per cent stake in Petra Airlines, which led to the creation of Air Arabia Jordan.

The newly established carrier will follow the low-cost business model introduced to the Mena region 11 years ago by Air Arabia.

Adel A Ali, group chief executive officer of Air Arabia, said: "We thank the Jordanian government and aviation authorities for their invaluable support throughout the process of forming Air Arabia Jordan. We are eager to begin operations of Jordan’s latest airline and move a step closer to connecting Jordan and the entire region with affordable air travel."

Ali added: "As a major tourism market with a stable domestic economy, Jordan offers a superb opportunity to serve both in-bound and out-bound passenger demand. In turn, the launch of Air Arabia Jordan will provide a direct boost to the Jordanian economy through the creation of skilled jobs and the opening up of new opportunities for local businesses."

Air Arabia Jordan fleet consists of new Airbus A320 aircraft equipped with the world’s most spacious economy seat pitch, it said.

Air Arabia has other hubs in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah in UAE, Alexandria in Egypt and Casablanca in Morocco.