AIR ARABIA, the largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, posted a net profit of Dh66 million ($18 million) for the three months ending June 30, 2012. The figure was an increase of 31 per cent compared to Dh51 million ($13.8 million) profit recorded in the corresponding period in 2011.
The carrier’s turnover for the second quarter of 2012 stood at Dh729 million ($198 million), an increase of 23 per cent compared to Dh592 million ($161 million) reported in the same period of 2011. The airline welcomed on board 1.3 million passengers in the second quarter of 2012, an increase of 15 per cent compared to the same period last year. Air Arabia’s average seat load factor – or passengers carried as a percentage of available seats – for the three months ending June 30, 2012, stood at 85 per cent, up three per cent on the same period last year, it said.
Air Arabia added Taif and Salalah to its network in the first half of 2011 bringing the airlines global network to 75 destinations. Additionally, the airline increased the frequency of flights to Nagpur in India, Dammam and Riyadh in Saudi as well as to Kuwait. The first half of 2012 also saw the delivery of three new aircraft from Airbus as well as Air Arabia completing its first maintenance check with its new hangar facility.
The airline also launched a new safety video featuring children. In a first for the aviation sector in the Arab world, an in-flight safety film developed by Air Arabia features a group of children briefing passengers about the on-board safety instructions. Child stewards dressed in Air Arabia outfits have replaced the actual crew members. In the video, developed in both English and Arabic, the children are seen interacting with passengers – also played by children – and instructing them about safety with the help of colourful drawings and animation pictures.