Dubai: Air Arabia’s new Jordanian venture will start operations next month from Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, Jordan.
Air Arabia Jordan will launch in May this year with direct flights to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Egypt, the carrier said in an emailed statement on Wednesday.
The first flight will be to Kuwait City on May 18 following by Jeddah on May 19, Arbil May 20 and Sharm Al Shaikh May 21.
“We are eager to begin operations of Jordan’s latest airline and move a step closer to connecting Jordan and the entire region with affordable air travel,” Air Arabia Group Chief Executive, Adel Ali, said in the statement.
More destinations will be added in 2015, the airline said.
The UAE’s only listed airline announced in January it was rebranding Petra Airlines as Air Arabia Jordan after purchasing a 49 per cent stake in the Jordanian carrier for an undisclosed sum.
At the time, the airline said operations would begin in the first quarter. No reason was given for the nearly two month delay.
The new carrier will be managed by Air Arabia, which is headquartered in Sharjah and listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). Air Arabia also has a wholly-owned hub operation in Ras Al Khaimah and joint venture hub Air Arabia branded operations in Egypt and Morocco.
The new Jordanian hub is set to serve the European, Middle East and North African markets.
Air Arabia shares closed up 0.63 per cent to Dh1.60 on the DFM on Wednesday.
