Air Arabia looks at setting up hub in India

DUBAI: UAE-based no frills airline Air Arabia is planning to add new routes to Indian sub-continent while it is studies the possibility of opening a second hub in the region.

The airline was at preliminary planning stage to open a second base of operations, Chief Operating Officer Adel Ali said while declaring the financial results of the company on Wednesday.

Air Arabia is considering to set up its next hub in Levant region, the Mediterranean, and east of the UAE, including India.

A second hub for Air Arabia would help the budget carrier solidify its route network, link in high-value markets in surrounding regions such as Europe, and give it a leg up to start a new budget carrier in the Middle East, Gulf News daily said.

Ali said the company also has plans to add more service to its existing destinations.

Air Arabia posted a net profit of Dh 43.4 million for the three months ending March 31. The turnover stood at Dh 252 million, Ali said adding the airline served 5,80,000 passengers in the Middle East and North Africa during the period.