Air Arabia first-quarter net profit up by a third

Middle Eastern budget carrier Air Arabia has posted a net first-quarter profit of Dhs103 million ($28 million), up nearly one-third.

The Sharjah-based airline's turnover increased by 21% for the three-month period to Dhs463 million.

Air Arabia chief Adel Ali says the airline is "not insulated" from the global financial crisis and it "recognises the challenges that lie ahead" for the aviation sector.

But the carrier states that its first-quarter performance "demonstrates the strength" of its business model.

Passenger numbers were up 26% to 951,000 and the airline claimed a load factor of 81%.

Air Arabia has just formally launched a new Moroccan division, Air Arabia Maroc, which is based in Casablanca.