Riyadh - Air Arabia, the Middle East's first and only low-budget airline, plans to increase flight frequency from Riyadh where it has a load factor of 98 percent.
Mohammed J. Mahmood, Air Arabia's regional general manager for Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, announced at a ceremony on Sunday that the airline had carried half a million passengers during its first year. The number reflects both the need for budget travel and quality of service - factors that have gained Air Arabia customer approval as the best airline in the Middle East and North Africa. One of the factors considered by customers was passenger comfort. "We use an Airbus-320 capable of accommodating 168 passengers. However, we have installed only 150 seats which allows a free space of 34 inches between each seat."
The general manager said the airline currently has a fleet of five aircraft serving 19 destinations. " Our future plans call for doubling passenger traffic to one million," he said, adding: "We broke even in the first year of operation."
Currently, the company operates two weekly flights each to Riyadh and Jeddah and four to Dammam. The one-way fare from Riyadh to Sharjah is SR350, excluding taxes.
The general manager said the fare structure, which is much lower than that of regular airlines, should encourage expatriates to visit their friends and relatives in other Gulf states at least twice a year. The airline itself will arrange visas, hotel accommodations and car rental. "Even for connecting flights, passengers can get visas on arrival at Sharjah International Airport. There is no need to contact the UAE Embassy or Consulate. "
A highlight of the ceremony was the selection of five winners who were presented tickets to various destinations in the US, Europe and the Gulf states.
By Javid Hassan
© Arab News 2005
