Air Arabia to Chittagong from Ras Al Khaimah from Sept 2

Risingbd Desk: Air Arabia on Saturday announced plans to launch its 98th destination next month by starting flights to Chittagong from its new hub in Ras Al Khaimah.

In a statement, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier said new service for Bangladesh’s second-largest city will begin from September 2 to further strengthen its connectivity with a core growth market.

The airline will operate three scheduled flights per week to Chittagong. It will be airline’s second destination in Bangladesh after Dhaka where currently it runs 14 flights every week.

“We have a strong association with Bangladesh having run flights to the country since 2007. As we close in on our 100th destination worldwide, it is fitting that we are strengthening our connectivity with a market that possesses such strong growth potential for both tourism and business,” Adel Ali, group chief executive officer, Air Arabia, said.

Chittagong has over 6.5 million population and is located on the country’s coastline. The flights to Chittagong will depart from Ras Al Khaimah Airport at 01:35 on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Return flights depart from Chittagong at 21:20 on Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays.

“The ever growing appeal of our flights, underpinned by our core value of making flying affordable for everyone, is why Air Arabia is considered the airline of choice for thousands of passengers who travel between Bangladesh and the UAE every month,” Ali said.

Air Arabia, which was established in October 2003, opened its second hub in the UAE and fourth worldwide at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport in the first half of 2014 following a long-term strategic partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Department of Civil Aviation. The first flight took off on May 6 and the carrier will now offer direct services to eight cities from the hub, including Jeddah in Saudi Arabia; Cairo in Egypt; Muscat in Oman; Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar in Pakistan; and Dhaka and Chittagong in Bangladesh.

Air Arabia, which is listed on the Dubai Financial Market, currently operates services to 97 destinations covering the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and the Indian Subcontinent from operating hubs in Sharjah, Alexandria (Egypt), Casablanca (Morocco) and Ras Al Khaimah.

Source: khaleejtimes

risingbd/Aug 17, 2014/Augustin Sujan