Air Arabia - all you need to know about it (threads merged)
 

From the UAE "Gulf News"(5/2/02):

"Air Arabia, the national airline being launched by Sharjah, will have a share capital of Dh10 million, and an operational capital of Dh50 million, Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Thani, chairman of Sharjah Department of Civil Aviation, said yesterday.

"This can be increased at a later stage, if required," he added.

He said the outlay would be enough to efficiently run passenger and cargo services: "While some may have expressed doubts about the level of funding, we have done our homework and are confident it is doable."

He said capital would be split 60:40 between the Department of Civil Aviation and the Sharjah International Airport Authority and shares would have a Dh1,000 face value.

"We will be a full-fledged UAE national airline from Sharjah," he said. "Just like any other national airline, we will have bilateral agreements between the UAE and other countries."

Sheikh Abdullah said, in line with the country's open sky policy, Air Arabia would not enjoy preferential treatment, nor would airlines flying to Sharjah be disadvantaged by the airline. "We will complement their services."

The airline is the UAE's third, after Emirates and Gulf Air, in which Abu Dhabi has a stake. Dr. Ghanem Al Hajri, director-general of both the department and the airport, said the airline's premises would initially be in the terminal complex.

"We will finalise our business plan while seeking to firm up destinations and routes, based on the traffic rights we obtain, and the capacities on various sectors."

"We will seek to offer customers safe and secure operations thro-ugh efficient services at competitive rates while keeping in mind their comfort."

He declined to provide details of its positioning, area of operations, or specific destinations. Nor did he reveal plans regarding fleet acquisition. "At this point, all options are open."

He expects the carrier to work out staff needs in three months. "We hope to recruit from the UAE," which will start just after summer."

Sources said the venture, which has been in the pipeline for more than a year and attracted considerable media attention, was fina-lised with a UK consultant.

While plans were finalised some time ago, authorities were waiting for the right time to launch the airline, they added. "The decision to launch at this juncture reiterates their confidence in the project and in the prospects for the region."

Top government officials had declared that one of the emirate's primary thrust areas would be tourism. Experts then said it was vital to set up an airline which can offer feeder services in the region.

Meanwhile, Ajman is also aiming to set up an international airport, catering to chartered and business jets."

There is certainly a potential market...will be interesting to watch...

any website? it will be an interesting one!

First flight scheduled for October - Mara? They expect to carry 2-300K pax in first year. Other details the kind of aircraft that are to be bought or leased are still being worked out.

Dumpvalve...I doubt very much that this is a major issue. As most of the Cabin Crew as well as the Flight Deck Crew will confirm, a no-alcohol policy during flights will avoid hundreds of incidents we are facing every year.
A "sober" flight will not lead to any discomfort and I am pretty sure that a lot of passengers will welcome such an environment.

On the other hand...if the passengers are prepared to pay the price, I am sure they will be able to get what they want....

ANY NEW INFO ABOUT AIR ARBIA? DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THEY STARTED INTERVIEWS?

Anyone got any new feedback on the subject?

Thanks digna for the info,if you come accross any info,please publish them to us thru this page.-Thanks !!

Air Arabia info?
 

Does anyone have any info on Air Arabia?

From a UAE website(18/6/03):

Question:

I am looking for contact information for new abu dhabi airline (air united) and air arabia in sharjah. please help!!!!!!

Thank you

Answer:

Dear Mr. Alasad,

No time frame has been set as to when Abu Dhabi will launch its own airline. Although plans are there, the chairman of the Abu Dhabi Civil Aviation said that they have still not decided when.

With regards to Air Arabia, the national airline being lauched by the emirate of Sharjah, we suggest that you contact the Sharjah Department of Civil Aviation to get more information. Contact details can be found on their website at http://www.shj-airport.gov.ae.

Thank you.
Ministry of Information & Culture

Thanks
 

Thankyou newswatcher

I have sent an email and I'll let you know what they say if you like.

Mr Brown

mrbrown
Check your PM.

Hi,


If anyone gets a contact email for Air Arabia can you let me know please.

Brgds

OCC

homesick rae


Thank you for the information.


OCC

Fleet
 

Any rumors about the aircraft type they will operate?

a snipett of news
 

Air Arabia (Aug11, 2003)
Finalized the lease of 6 Airbus A320-200s from ILFC. Air Arabia's first 2 aircraft, previously operated, will be delivered in Sep03 and Oct03 ; the remaining 4 aircraft will be delivered new in Feb04, Mar04, Oct04 and Jan05. During 2004 the airline will likely replace the pair of used A320s with new ones.

A-320s? Interesting. They won't have much long-haul then.

Hello ,
Can Arabia make it on the 18 th of October and start operating ?
I am honestly looking forward to joining.

I think this airline has a bright future if backed by the goverment of Sharjah.

pilot selection started!!
 

Air-Arabia started last week interview pilots...any feedback:p

Jet Joc

Recruiting at Air Arabia
 

Sent an e-mail and got the standard form to fill out and return but heard nothing since. Has anybody heard any more??

Understand that the initial pilots came from QR, is this the way to get and will the pipeline for pilots open again soon as they will be taking more aircraft on next year??

Thoughts, facts .... any info!!

Air Arabia article
 

Sorry, not quite what you wanted John, but this appeared in the UAE "Gulf NEws" (23/10):

http://www.gulfnews.com/Articles/new...ticleID=101015

:( Dear John Smith ,


Just a few words to confirm that I received the same negative answer from that company. For the time beeing , no added news have been issued concerning a next recruitment ; it seems as if the priority had been given to arabic pilots.
wait and see...

Nothing on the Cabin Crew side of things either according to my sources! Seems they have gone for local(ish) recruitment there as well!

Air Arabia Launch
 

Air Arabia launches it's first flight today to Bahrain. Let me be the first to congratulate this promising airline. Unlike other operations in the region, this is looking like a very good place to be.
Never mind that the pilot package is not the best, things will change with experience. The CEO has had a recent meeting with the pilots and has been saying all the right things. Time will tell if this will be put into action soon. But from personal experience the man delivers what he promises.

We have got a great bunch of people working here, and unlike other airlines, this one values it's people.

There are no locals running the show simply because they are locals. All the people here have a lot of experience and what they lack, they make up for by being good team players. They are able to delegate authority and things get done. No insecurities here.

As for the hiring, the company does not hire pilots or advertise unless it needs them. This will happen again soon with the new aircraft deliveries. So all who are interested in a great place to work, just be patient.

Oh and one other thing which makes all the difference in the world. Pilots are treated with respect. At the instigation of the Director of Flight ops, and in the presence of the CEO, a vote was taken on what the uniform should look like. The vote was contrary to what was originally planned by management, but the majority won. implimentation was immediate.

Let's hope some of this management style wears off on some of the other airlines in the neighbourhood.

Keep up the good work guys.

Just a quick question.

Why did they not acknowledge many of the CVs from highly experienced crew, Cabin and Flight Deck, who have had years of experience in the region? (I know many of the QR pilots joined)

I know 7 people apart from myself who were interested to join and applied months ago...not a peep!

I wish them all the best and hope what has been mentioned above continues. Good luck!

Indeed, have heard some very positive things about this outfit.

Sounds like they've taken the very successful low-cost model operated elsewhere and copying it to the letter.

I wish them the best of luck.

...and it's even made
 

the day they start flying to the subcontinent with these(1/3) fares , they're sure to get a very high lad factor, about time i think a LCC started off from the middle east...good luck .

Hey Mates! Any contacts! For pilot recruitment
 

Air Arabia......
Will appreciate any information to contact in order to send my CV of to whom should I address it ? Chief Pilot etc. Thanks a million
Happy Landings!:cool:

The start-up of a low-cost carrier in the Middle East is certainly a good development and a precursor for an increase in regional travel. However, I find it particularly ironic that such an airline would provide such a basic, unreliable and empty website (www.airarabia.com) considering the airline is encouraging online reservations.

I tried their reservation engine and the system could not give me possible dates of travel (for example, Sharjah-Beirut). The browser has to go back and manually change the travel dates in order to find flights. This is very inconvenient for passengers and indicates 'low-cost' internet representation and sales potential.

@ Rani

I don´t work for Air Arabia, but I have to defend them. Now it´s only four month ago I heard about their launch. They have still a lot of things to do, I guess. I do agree that the webpage is a little empty, but be fair, they need a little more time. They are a new startup and have to develop everything. Let´s see how it looks, let´s say, in 6 month.

Take care,

drive

Lakeman and rotate777...

Thank you both for your informative posts. Two questions...

1. What is the starting salary for Captains and F/Os, and are there any pension benefits?
2. Is the position permanent or on contract?

Wishing this new venture much success ( I am still intrigued by Etihad's stealthy start-up! ).

Tradewinds

wesite
 

hey


notice that www.jetblue.com and www.airarbia.com are pretty similar , anybody thinks there is a conenction ?

c u

sorry about the spelling

www.airarabia.com

It is interesting that on the career's page, http://www.airarabia.com/careerinfo.html, they say their is no age discrimination for jobs, yet the position advertised immediately below specifies an age limit of 30 !!

air arabia
 

the news now that they are flying to any of there destination with very low price
only 100 dhs
this is very very good price unbeliveble one

Lip service
 

Thanks Arctaurus- had to smile over that. The job ad below those words asks for a female below 30:confused:
As a male over 30, I wonder if I'll get it?:hmm: Anyone care to be a reference?

The advertised 99dhs airfares might cause a bit of a stir, though!!!!

Maybe they are the same routes. But JetBlue started off by raising 130 Million Capitol before any plans were made on the CEOs reputation. Me thinks that Airarabia could raise this capitol much easier.


Sheep

Arctaurus

No worries about discrimination. If you are Caucasian you will be given priority for almost every thing. Just have a glance next door at Emirate; 40% Australian/NewZealand 40% British 19% Canadians/US 1% locals or none Caucasian.
Rotate 777 had clearly outlined company policy
"There are no locals running the show"