Air Arabia will commence operations from its second hub in Morocco early this year subject to government approvals. Air Arabia’s second hub in Casablanca will provide the Sharjah based low cost carrier (LCC) with a platform from which to reach the wider Europe, Middle East and Africa market.
The new airline, named “Air Arabia Maroc” will cover Morocco’s domestic sector and operate in selected destinations across Europe and Africa.
In 2007 Air Arabia announced the establishment of its second hub following the signing of a management agreement with Regional Air Lines, the leading private carrier in Morocco. Air Arabia will assume management control and apply its successful business model to the management of the newly established LCC.
Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, chairman of Air Arabia said, “Air Arabia already enjoys a strong presence in the MENA region, and has now embarked upon a phase of rapid growth and expansion. In addition to further strengthening our operations in Sharjah, we are keen to capitalise on the immense potential in North Africa and southern Europe. With our new hub in Morocco, we will now be able to expand our coverage across EMEA markets.” He said that work on the Casablanca hub continued and operations would begin early next year.
Air Arabia was named the Low Cost Carrier of the Year at the Aviation Business Awards 2008 in December for the second year in succession. This award is given to the LCC that has demonstrated world class service across the region over the past 12 months.
It also won the AVEX award for Best Regional Airline at the AVEX award ceremony that took place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt in November last year and the following month it won the World Travel Award for Best Low Cost Carrier in MENA.