January 15, 2010
Low-cost carrier Air Arabia has ordered 44 Airbus planes for delivery over the next five years but its expansion plans mean it could need more, a senior company executive said.
The largest Arab airline by market value operates out of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, but opened a new hub in Morocco last year. It is launching a new budget carrier with an Egyptian partner and setting up a third hub in Alexandria.
"At least in the next couple of years we see our demand for airplanes outstripping the schedule," Rohit Ramachandran, chief operating officer of Air Arabia's Moroccan unit said.
"We might even have to go outside. But we are in a good position right now because good airplanes are available cheap."
He said Air Arabia Maroc, which flies from Casablanca to mostly European destinations, hoped to begin services to West Africa this year if regulatory hurdles are overcome.
(Reuters)
Low-cost carrier Air Arabia has ordered 44 Airbus planes for delivery over the next five years but its expansion plans mean it could need more, a senior company executive said.
The largest Arab airline by market value operates out of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, but opened a new hub in Morocco last year. It is launching a new budget carrier with an Egyptian partner and setting up a third hub in Alexandria.
"At least in the next couple of years we see our demand for airplanes outstripping the schedule," Rohit Ramachandran, chief operating officer of Air Arabia's Moroccan unit said.
"We might even have to go outside. But we are in a good position right now because good airplanes are available cheap."
He said Air Arabia Maroc, which flies from Casablanca to mostly European destinations, hoped to begin services to West Africa this year if regulatory hurdles are overcome.
(Reuters)
