Air Arabia takes delivery of first new Airbus A320s

Low cost carrier Air Arabia has today become the newest Airbus customer and operator as it takes delivery of the first of its 44 Airbus A320 aircraft.

The carrier announced today that it has taken delivery of the first of 44 A320s on order (34 placed in 2007 and 10 placed in 2008), during a delivery ceremony in Hamburg, Germany.

From its three main hubs, Sharjah in the UAE, Casablanca in Morocco and Alexandria in Egypt, Air Arabia serves a network of some 65 international routes from Europe to the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, Central Asia and North Africa, and in 2011, the carrier is set to open a fourth hub in Amman, Jordan. The addition of the 44 A320s to Air Arabia’s existing fleet of 23 leased A320s, will make the carrier one of the region’s largest A320 operators and equip the carrier with one of the region’s most modern fleets, the company said.

“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, we will expand our network and operations in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa,” said chairman, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani.

“We are delighted Air Arabia has placed its trust in our A320 and we look forward to working together to achieving the 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.