Abu Dhabi: Air Arabia, a Sharjah-based low-cost carrier, announced on Monday the launch of its loyalty programme, Airewards, which marks the first low-cost carrier rewards programmme in the Middle East and North Africa.
The programme rewards passengers with points based on money spent rather than distance flown, and can be earned on any product or service purchased from the airline.
The online loyalty programme also offers a range of payment and reward options that can be redeemed via the Air Arabia website on flights, baggage and ancillaries.
John Strickland, director of UK-based aviation advisory, JLS Consultancy, said the programme could help cement Air Arabia’s already strong position in the market. “It’s not so common for [low-cost carriers] to have loyalty programmes but this can provide a point of difference. It can be particularly appealing to regular business travellers who typically pay more,” Strickland told Gulf News by email.
Air Arabia’s chief executive officer, Adel Ali, said in a statement the introduction was in line with the airline’s strategy to provide value for money proposition.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson from flydubai, another UAE-based low cost carrier, told Gulf News on Monday that the airline had been considering the introduction of its own loyalty programme for some time, but did not elaborate on a timeline for the programme.
Joining Airewards is free and open for everyone, Air Arabia stated, adding that members can earn and redeem their points while travelling with the airline via its hubs in the UAE and Morocco.
