Air Arabia, a major low-cost carrier in the Middle East & North Africa region, has taken delivery of the first of 44 A320 aircraft ordered in 2007 and 2008 earlier this week.
The airline, which celebrates its 7th anniversary this month, received the new aircraft during a signing ceremony that took place on October 22, at the Airbus facility in Hamburg, Germany.
Air Arabia had placed orders for 34 A320s in 2007 and 10 in 2008.
The delivery of the 44 aircraft order will take place between 2010 and 2016, and will more than double the size of Air Arabia’s existing fleet of 23 aircraft, in line with its aim to increase its total operating fleet to over 50 aircraft by 2016.
“Our aim to become one of the world’s leading airlines in terms of profit margin, innovation, reputation, and operational excellence has taken a step closer to reality with today’s delivery of our first of 44 Airbus A320 aircraft,” said Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman, Air Arabia.
“As we receive more aircraft in the months to come, we will expand our network to further expand our operations in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.”
“We have chosen to invest in the Airbus A320 line due to the outstanding record this type of aircraft enjoys, in which our valued customers will directly benefit from. We look forward to the delivery of the second aircraft in December 2010, and we anticipate even greater growth in the coming years,” he added.