Air Arabia to become first Mideast budget carrier in China

DUBAI

A low-cost airline from the UAE says it plans to begin flying to Urumqi, China, next month — becoming the first discount carrier from the Mideast to tap the Chinese market.

Air Arabia’s announcement Monday underscores the growing links between China and the oil-rich Gulf region. Urumqi is the capital of Xinjiang region, which is home to China’s Muslim Uighur minority.

The airline plans to launch non-stop return flights from its hub in Sharjah three times weekly to the western Chinese city beginning February 10.