DHAKA: The awarded low cost carrier of UAE, Air Arabia has started operation in Dhaka – Ras Al Khaimah route from May 6. The carrier will operate weekly 3 flights from Dhaka.
The airline landed in Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with 157 passengers and departed with 162 passengers.
Bikramjit Ghosh, Country Manager of Air Arabia and Md Abdur Rahim, Director of Air Arabia GSA- One World Aviation Limited, greeted the passengers on this maiden flight.
At present Air Arabia is operating double daily flight, i.e. weekly 14 flights in Dhaka – Sharjah route and weekly 11 flights in Chittagong – Sharjah sector.
Earlier the RAK Department of Civil Aviation and the Tourism Development Authority, Air Arabia announced that the hub will be opened on May, 2014, the company said in a statement.
It will offer direct services to 8 routes from RAK International Airport, giving a boost to the emirates rapidly growing tourism sector.
In February 2014, Air Arabia and the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Civil Aviation entered into a long-term strategic partnership to significantly increase the number of destinations accessible to the residents of Ras Al Khaimah and to bring more tourists within reach of the emirate.
From its hub at RAK International Airport, Air Arabia will follow exactly the same value-for-money business model as it does from its primary base in Sharjah. Air Arabia already flies to Sharjah in the UAE from Dhaka and Chittagong.
Engr. Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of Department of , Ras Al Khaimah Civil Aviation (DCA), said, “This important collaboration will give a major boost to the economic development of Ras Al Khaimah and reinforces the growing excitement about the emirate as an investment destination.
As our designated carrier, Air Arabia operations will be a key component of a comprehensive strategy to develop a vibrant, distinct and sustainable tourism sector in Ras Al Khaimah to rival the most established destinations in the region. The increase in tourists and visitors entering Rasl Al Khaimah suggests that a solid potential for developing the emirate travel and tourism sector exists.”
“This partnership offers enormous potential benefit not only to the local aviation industry but to the overall economy” said Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia. “With our hubs in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, Air Arabia is well positioned to cater to the travel needs of the Northern Emirates, a position we believe will deliver real value to our customers and shareholders while transforming the regions tourism sector by bringing millions of potential new visitors within just a few hours reach.”
Established in October 2003, Air Arabia PJSC, listed on the Dubai Financial Market, currently operates services to 90 destinations covering the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and the Indian Subcontinent from operating hubs in Sharjah, UAE; Alexandria, Egypt; Casablanca, Morocco; and now Ras Al Khaimah.
BDST: 2014 HRS, MAY 7, 2014
