Dubai, November 14, 2007: Alpha Aviation Group, the specialist global aviation training provider, and Air Arabia (PJSC), the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, announced today at the Dubai Air Show the signing of a joint venture agreement to launch a new multi-million dollar International Aviation Training Academy based in Sharjah, UAE.

Alpha Aviation Academy (UAE) LLC is the second of Alpha's global network of International Aviation Academies and will be modelled on its existing academy, Clark Aviation, based in the Philippines. In addition to satisfying Air Arabia's own internal needs for pilots to man its expanding fleet of aircraft, the Academy will also train and supply pilots for other carriers in the region.

Operations are scheduled to commence in early 2008, training ab-initio airline pilots under the new ICAO Multi Crew Pilot Licence. Phase II will extend operations to include training for cabin crew, engineering and other aviation operational personnel. Following ongoing discussions with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the application for approval of the Academy is in process.

His Excellency Mohammed Ghanim Al Ghaith, Director General of the GCAA, said: "We have already communicated to Air Arabia that we are fully supportive of their plans to establish a joint venture with Alpha Aviation Group to create an International Aviation Academy in Sharjah training ab-initio MPL pilots."

Mark Pearson, CEO, Alpha Aviation Group Ltd, said: "The Gulf region is strategically very important in our global network strategy, and we are delighted to embark on this venture with Air Arabia, the Middle East's leading LCC, to create a world-class International Aviation Academy serving the needs of the rapidly expanding aviation sector in the region."

Adel Ali, Board Member and CEO, Air Arabia, said: "In light of Air Arabia's strong fleet growth plans, this step comes to ensure that we will have the human resources available to crew the new aircraft when they arrive. Partnering with Alpha Aviation adds both technical and financial value to our business."


Air Arabia, which currently operates a fleet of 11 Airbus A320 aircraft, announced earlier during the Dubai Air Show the signing an agreement with Airbus to purchase up to 49 A320 aircraft. The carrier has also said it will open a second hub in Morrocco to serve the Europe, Middle East and Africa markets.

Captain Mohamed Ahmed, Director of Operations, Air Arabia, commented: "Along with Alpha Aviation Group, we also strongly support the MPL program and see this becoming the preferred method of ab-initio airline pilot training for the future."

-Ends-

About Alpha Aviation Group:
Alpha Aviation Group is set to become the largest provider of qualified pilots in the world, in an attempt to combat the acute and growing world wide shortage of pilots. It is creating a network of 10 International Aviation Academies that span the globe from Europe through the Middle East to South East Asia. In addition to Clark Aviation, Alpha acquired Gatwick based Bond Aviation in October 2006 a leading UK JAA TRTO and intends to develop its brand, product range and capabilities and transform it into its European International Aviation Academy

About Air Arabia:
Air Arabia (PJSC), listed on the Dubai Financial Market, is the Middle East and North Africa's leading low-cost carrier (LCC). Air Arabia commenced operations in October 2003 and currently operates a fleet of 11 new Airbus A320 aircraft, serving 37 destinations across Middle East, North Africa, Indian Subcontinent and Central Asia through its main hub in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Air Arabia is modeled after leading American and European low-cost airlines, and its business model is customised to accommodate local preferences. Its main focus is to make air travel more convenient through Internet bookings and offering the lowest fares in the market along with the highest levels of safety and service standards.

For further Information, please contact:
AAG
info@alphagroup.aero
Fax: +44 845 280 2610
www.alphagroup.aero

Air Arabia       
Housam Raydan
Public Relations Manager
Air Arabia PJSC
Direct: +971 6 5088968
Fax: +971 6 558 0031

Nicholas Nesson / Ghaleb Zeidan
ASDA'A Public Relations
Exclusive Affiliate of Edelman, Middle East & North Africa
Dubai, UAE
Tel: 971-4-3355969 / 50-7782286
Fax: 971-4-3356080
E-mail: n.nesson@asdaa.com / g.zeidan@asdaa.com

© Press Release 2007