A new low-cost carrier with ambitions to increase the Egyptian tourist market has been launched by Air Arabia and Middle Eastern travel and hospitality company Travco Group.
Air Arabia Egypt will be based in Egypt and will service Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Details of the launch date and routes have yet to be disclosed, but it said it will build on Air Arabia’s existing service to 57 destinations.
Air Arabia Egypt will be its third hub. Its first service from Sharjah International airport (United Arab Emirates) was launched in October 2003, and in May this year it formed Air Maroc with inaugural flights from Casablanca to Stansted four times a week.
Travco group chairman and chief executive officer Hamed El Chiaty said: “The enormous commercial success of Air Arabia in the six years since the carrier was launched makes clear the strength of its business model, which we are confident will allow Air Arabia Egypt to reach new heights.”
“As the country’s most qualified tourism and hospitality organisation, the Travco Group will provide its own insights into the European and Egyptian markets, as well as the wider region.”
Air Arabia chairman Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani said: “At a time when the global aviation industry is witnessing serious challenges, due to consequences of the worldwide financial crisis, we continue to move forward with our strategic expansion strategy, as demonstrated by this important announcement.
“Through this new partnership, we look forward to replicate the success Air Arabia has already achieved from its existing hubs.”