Long a central stop on the trade routes between Europe and Asia, the UAE remains a staging point for many travellers.
Dubai airport is consistently ranked as one of the busiest in the world, and the country has two prominent full service airlines: Emirates and Etihad Airways. For these reasons, the UAE is considered one of the world's most important cities in aviation.
It is also a key player when it comes to low-cost flying and, in that domain, the country’s pioneer was Sharjah’s Air Arabia, which in fewer than 20 years has gone from flying five routes with only two aircraft, to serving more than 170 destinations from airports in the UAE, Morocco and Egypt.
Launched in 2003 after an Amiri Decree by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, who is celebrating 50 years as Sharjah's Ruler, Air Arabia was the first low-cost airline in the Mena region.
Taking flight from Sharjah
Its inaugural flight took off from Air Arabia’s base at Sharjah International Airport in October 2003. Flying out of the country's first airport, which opened in 1932 as a stop on the Imperial Airways route between the UK and India, it was a short foray for the airline with a journey of just over one hour to neighbouring Bahrain.
A year later, Air Arabia received its first new Airbus A320 aircraft. The world's best-selling commercial jetliner would become the cornerstone for the Sharjah airline, with four more of the narrow-body aircraft quickly added to its fleet.
By 2005, Air Arabia was flying to 24 destinations across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. The same year, it welcomed its one millionth passenger.
In March 2007, with a network that had expanded to more than 30 destinations, Air Arabia placed its biggest order with Airbus, securing 49 Airbus A320 aircraft as part of its expansion strategy. In July, shares were listed on the Dubai Financial Market – the budget carrier is still the UAE's only listed airline.
A year later, the 10 millionth passenger stepped on to an Air Arabia jet and the fledgling airline was declared the world’s most profitable, a mere five years since its inception.
This rapid growth did not slow, and the airline continued to seek new ways to expand. A hub in Morocco then gave it a good opportunity to extend its flight network farther into North Africa and Europe.
Deemed a success, the move was followed by another expansion – this time via the establishment of Air Arabia Egypt, which took to the skies in 2010 from a new centre in Alexandria.
In July 2011, less than eight years after it first took flight, Air Arabia celebrated its 20th million passenger, proving the popularity of its value-for-money model in a market dominated by full-service airlines.
A decade of flying
A decade after its launch, Air Arabia received delivery of its first Shaklet-equipped Airbus A320 aircraft, the 6,000th jet to be delivered worldwide.
Featuring Airbus’s new winglets that are designed to reduce fuel burn, it took the fleet tally to 40. In the same year, passengers voted Air Arabia as the Middle East’s best low-cost carrier at the Skytrax World Airline Awards. Clearly it was doing something right.
A move to Ras Al Khaimah and Air Arabia’s fourth hub, and second in the UAE followed, and the no-frills airline commenced direct flights from the northern emirate initially to Jeddah, Cairo, Muscat, Islamabad, Lahore, Dhaka, Peshawar and Calicut.
A foray into Jordan was unsuccessful, with Air Arabia Jordan ceasing flying three years after it started. But in the UAE, the airline continued to thrive, banking another first for the region in 2015 when it introduced the first low-cost airline loyalty programme for the Middle East and North Africa.
A year later, it took third place in a list of top 50 global airlines compiled by the UK-based Airfinance Journal.
Spreading its wings
Air Arabia’s strategy remained focused on expansion and, in 2017, it leased six new Airbus A321neo LR aircraft. As the first airline in the region to operate the jet, which has a range of more than 7,000 kilometres, it was a strategic move that allowed the budget carrier to serve longer routes.
In 2018, celebrating 15 years in the air, the airline launched a new brand identity, inspired by modern nomads. The company’s image of a seagull stayed central to the logo, but the bird was stylised and its wings extended to reflect the airline's growth over the years.
A year later, it was time for a move west, joining hands with Etihad, the national airline of the UAE. Between them, the airlines created the capital’s first low-cost carrier, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi.
Despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and its impact on aviation, the new airline launched in 2020 with an inaugural flight to Egypt. Since then, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has added 15 more destinations to its network and plans to grow its fleet to 20 jets by 2025.
Today, as Sharjah’s ruler celebrates his golden jubilee, the airline that he envisioned forges ahead with expansion, betting on the recovery of short-haul travel demand amid rapid Covid-19 vaccine campaigns around the world. With a fleet of 58 Airbus A320 and A321 jets, the airline also has ventures in place for new low-cost airlines in Armenia and Pakistan.
Flying to 170 destinations from five hubs in the UAE, Morocco and Egypt, the region’s first low-cost carrier seems to have flown right through the eye of the Covid-19 storm, with visibility looking good for what the future holds.
The specs
BMW M8 Competition Coupe
Engine 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8
Power 625hp at 6,000rpm
Torque 750Nm from 1,800-5,800rpm
Gearbox Eight-speed paddleshift auto
Acceleration 0-100kph in 3.2 sec
Top speed 305kph
Fuel economy, combined 10.6L / 100km
Price from Dh700,000 (estimate)
On sale Jan/Feb 2020
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Set-jetting on the Emerald Isle
Other shows filmed in Ireland include: Vikings (County Wicklow), The Fall (Belfast), Line of Duty (Belfast), Penny Dreadful (Dublin), Ripper Street (Dublin), Krypton (Belfast)
Abu Dhabi GP schedule
Friday: First practice - 1pm; Second practice - 5pm
Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm
Sunday: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (55 laps) - 5.10pm
The Beach Bum
Director: Harmony Korine
Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg
Two stars
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
Engine: 2-litre 4-cylinder and 3.6-litre 6-cylinder
Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHakbah%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2018%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENaif%20AbuSaida%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESaudi%20Arabia%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E22%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%24200%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epre-Series%20A%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EGlobal%20Ventures%20and%20Aditum%20Investment%20Management%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
yallacompare profile
Date of launch: 2014
Founder: Jon Richards, founder and chief executive; Samer Chebab, co-founder and chief operating officer, and Jonathan Rawlings, co-founder and chief financial officer
Based: Media City, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: 120 employees
Investors: 2014: $500,000 in a seed round led by Mulverhill Associates; 2015: $3m in Series A funding led by STC Ventures (managed by Iris Capital), Wamda and Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority; 2019: $8m in Series B funding with the same investors as Series A along with Precinct Partners, Saned and Argo Ventures (the VC arm of multinational insurer Argo Group)
T20 World Cup Qualifier
October 18 – November 2
Opening fixtures
Friday, October 18
ICC Academy: 10am, Scotland v Singapore, 2.10pm, Netherlands v Kenya
Zayed Cricket Stadium: 2.10pm, Hong Kong v Ireland, 7.30pm, Oman v UAE
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Rameez Shahzad, Darius D’Silva, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zawar Farid, Ghulam Shabber, Junaid Siddique, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Waheed Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Zahoor Khan
Players out: Mohammed Naveed, Shaiman Anwar, Qadeer Ahmed
Players in: Junaid Siddique, Darius D’Silva, Waheed Ahmed
Players Selected for La Liga Trials
U18 Age Group
Name: Ahmed Salam (Malaga)
Position: Right Wing
Nationality: Jordanian
Name: Yahia Iraqi (Malaga)
Position: Left Wing
Nationality: Morocco
Name: Mohammed Bouherrafa (Almeria)
Position: Centre-Midfield
Nationality: French
Name: Mohammed Rajeh (Cadiz)
Position: Striker
Nationality: Jordanian
U16 Age Group
Name: Mehdi Elkhamlichi (Malaga)
Position: Lead Striker
Nationality: Morocco
Director: Jon Favreau
Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
Padmaavat
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh
3.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
PROFILE OF CURE.FIT
Started: July 2016
Founders: Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori
Based: Bangalore, India
Sector: Health & wellness
Size: 500 employees
Investment: $250 million
Investors: Accel, Oaktree Capital (US); Chiratae Ventures, Epiq Capital, Innoven Capital, Kalaari Capital, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Piramal Group’s Anand Piramal, Pratithi Investment Trust, Ratan Tata (India); and Unilever Ventures (Unilever’s global venture capital arm)
