Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, announced today that it has been named winner of the A320 Family Operational Excellence Award by Airbus. The Sharjah-based LCC received the award for achieving the highest level of aircraft utilisation in the world in 2008, with 99.8 per cent operational reliability.
The award was presented to the carrier in Paris, France, during Airbus's biannual symposium of all operators of the A320 Family worldwide, held earlier this month. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Air Arabia has maintained the lead among all global airlines operating Airbus A320 aircraft.
“We are very proud that Air Arabia’s operational excellence and service reliability have been recognised once more by a prestigious aircraft manufacturer such as Airbus,” said Adel Ali, Board Member and Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia. “We thank our employees for their crucial contribution to providing seamless service. Air Arabia will continue to offer superior value and service for travellers across this vibrant region.”
Charles Champion, Executive Vice President, Customer Services, Airbus, said: "Air Arabia is a remarkable example of an LCC that has established an extremely efficient operation with its Airbus aircraft, achieving exceptionally high utilisation and outstanding dispatch reliability. All of us at Airbus are proud to see our aircraft serve as an integral part of Air Arabia’s success.”
In selecting Air Arabia for its operational excellence rankings, Airbus conducted a detailed technical analysis of all the carriers in the A320 segment. Air Arabia recorded the highest indicators for its operational excellence over the two-year period, reflecting the carrier’s extremely high maintenance and technical standards.
In January 2007, Air Arabia received a special certificate from Airbus for achieving the highest average level of A320 fleet utilisation during 2005-2006. In June 2007, Airbus named Air Arabia winner of the award for Operational Excellence (2005-2007) for recording the world’s highest indicators for operational reliability.
About Air Arabia: Air Arabia (PJSC), listed on the Dubai Financial Market, is the Middle East and North Africa’s leading low-cost carrier (LCC). Air Arabia commenced operations in October 2003 and currently operates a fleet of 16 new Airbus A320 aircraft, serving 46 destinations across the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and Central Asia through its main hub in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Air Arabia recently started operations from its second hub at Mohamed V Airport, Casablanca, Morocco, through the launch of Air Arabia Maroc, a joint venture company and Morocco’s newest low-cost airline. Air Arabia Maroc offers service to a wide range of European and African destinations.
Air Arabia is an award-winning airline that focuses on offering comfort, reliability and value-for-money air travel. For further information, please visit: www.airarabia.com
