DHAKA: With a view to strengthening its connectivity with a core growth market, Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) Air Arabia announced that it will run three flights per week from its new hub in Ras Al Khaimah to Chittagong from September 2.
Chittagong, Bangladesh’s second-largest city with a population of over 6.5 million, is located on the country’s coastline and becomes the 98th destination serviced by Air Arabia worldwide and second in Bangladesh.
The airline currently runs 21 flights from two hubs in the UAE to capital Dhaka every week.
Air Arabia flights to Chittagong will depart from Ras Al Khaimah Airport at 01:35 on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, arriving at Chittagong at 08:30 (local time). Return flights depart from Chittagong at 21:20 on Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays and arrive in Ras Al Khaimah at 00:35 (the following day).
Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said: “Air Arabia is delighted to announce the introduction of our new service between Ras Al Khaimah and Chittagong. We have a strong association with Bangladesh having run flights to the country since 2007.
As we close in on our 100th destination worldwide, it is fitting that we are strengthening our connectivity with a market that possesses such strong growth potential for both tourism and business. The ever growing appeal of our flights, underpinned by our core value of making flying affordable for everyone, is why Air Arabia is considered the airline of choice for thousands of passengers who travel between Bangladesh and the UAE every month.”
In the first half of 2014, Air Arabia opened its second hub in the UAE and fourth worldwide at Ras Al Khaimah International Airport following a long term strategic partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Department of Civil Aviation.
The first flight took off on May 6 and the carrier will now offer direct services to eight cities from the hub, including Jeddah in Saudi Arabia; Cairo in Egypt; Muscat in Oman; Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar in Pakistan; and Dhaka and Chittagong in Bangladesh.
BDST: 1226 HRS, AUG 31, 2014
