Air Arabia launching flights to Cairo

Sharjah-based Air Arabia will fly three times a week to Cairo by the end of this month.

Air Arabia, based in Sharjah, will start flights to Cairo this month, its fifth destination in the Arab world's most populous country.

The low-cost airline will fly three times a week to the Egyptian capital from February 27. Air Arabia currently flies to Alexandria, Assuit, Luxor and Sohag.

The destination is the 90th for Air Arabia, which covers the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and the Indian subcontinent.

“Egypt is a key market for Air Arabia, and by strengthening our connectivity with the country, we are further contributing to the growing bilateral ties between the UAE and Egypt,” said Adel Ali, the Air Arabia chief executive.

“With tourism and trade in Egypt gathering momentum and led by the strong population of Egyptians who work and live in the UAE, our new service to Cairo will only add value to both nations.”

Air Arabia, the first publicly listed airline in the region, said last month that it would operate from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, after its counterpart, RAK Airways, suspended operations late last year.

It currently operates in three hubs: Sharjah, Alexandria and Casablanca.

Air Arabia's growth has been reflected by flydubai, which placed an order for 111 single-aisle Boeing aircraft at the Dubai Airshow in November and flies to more than 60 destinations, according to its website.