Air Arabia Abu Dhabi files first routes including Jaipur

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi is the upcoming low-cost joint venture between two of the UAE airlines – Sharjah based Air Arabia and Abu Dhabi’s Etihad. The joint venture is one of the two new low-cost airlines being launched in the capital of the Emirates – the other being a joint venture between Wizz Air and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADDH).

While Etihad management has stated the new airline is meant to complement Etihad’s existing operations, it is worth noting that Etihad’s regional operation is itself moving in a low-cost direction. While the two new airlines may increase accessibility to Abu Dhabi they could also push Etihad’s yield in a downward direction.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s files for 11 destinations

RoutesOnline is reporting that Etihad has filed the following routes for the new airline. While these routes have not yet been announced, they are set to begin at the end of March 2020. The flights will be operated with Airbus A320 aircraft.

Image copyright GCMap.com.

Some of the upcoming routes used to be served by Etihad and were cut in recent years as part of the airline’s push towards profitability.

  • Almaty – Three times weekly – Etihad served this route until October 2016
  • Dhaka – Daily – Etihad served this route until September 2018
  • Faisalabad – Daily
  • Jaipur – Daily – Etihad served this route until February 2018
  • Kyiv Borispil – Three times weekly
  • Multan – Daily
  • Peshawar – Daily – Etihad served this route until December 2014
  • Taif – Four times weekly
  • Tbilisi – Daily
  • Yanbu – Three times weekly
  • Yerevan – Four times weekly – Etihad served this route until August 2015

Daily Jaipur flight

One of the airline’s routes will be a daily flight from Abu Dhabi to Jaipur. The route has been filed to launch from 29 March 2020. Etihad served this route with an A320 till February 2018.

The schedule for the new route is:
EY1350 AUH0015 – 0505JAI 320 D
EY1351 JAI0545 – 0745AUH 320 D

None of the new routes are currently operated by Etihad, so for the moment, there will be no duplication of routes on the JV’s network.

About Vedant Agarwal

A frequent flyer for both work and pleasure - Vedant has held elite status on many of the major alliances and airlines. Also an avid aviation photographer, his pictures have been published in and on the covers of many international publications.

Check Also

Etihad Airways Airbus A320 A6-EIC at Kempegowda Airport, Bangalore

Etihad Airways 2018 results analysis

Etihad Airways recently reported its annual results for 2018. The results highlight the continuing challenges …

+OK