Business | Aviation

Air Arabia sees healthy growth in budget travel

The Middle East aviation sector is poised for sustained growth above the industry average and budget travel will see an impressive growth in the region in the coming years, Sharjah-based low-cost carrier Air Arabia said.

  • Staff Report
  • Published: 23:19 December 23, 2007
  • Gulf News

Dubai: The Middle East aviation sector is poised for sustained growth above the industry average and budget travel will see an impressive growth in the region in the coming years, Sharjah-based low-cost carrier Air Arabia said.

Worldwide, one in every eight commercial flights is now flown by a budget carrier, Air Arabia chief executive officer Adel Ali said. He said the Middle East is poised to experience especially strong growth in the low-cost sector.

"The Middle East is home to the youngest fleet in the world, with a total of more than 600 aircraft, and has the greatest number of aircraft on order anywhere in the world," said Ali.

"From the Gulf to the Levant, the sector is experiencing high demand, with load factors averaging nearly 80 per cent," he said.

Ali said between now and 2020, the Middle East is forecast to lead world passenger traffic growth, with current travel demand up 18 per cent.

Ali said that the outlook for budget carriers is bright. "By adapting the low-cost carrier model to the needs of the region and focusing on the highest level of service at the most affordable fares, Air Arabia continues to be the regional low-cost leader," he said.

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