Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier operator, marked the inauguration of its first non-stop flight connecting Sharjah International Airport and Velana International Airport in Malé.
To mark this milestone, simultaneous celebrations took place at both Sharjah and Malé airports, attended by senior representatives from Air Arabia and the respective airport authorities. Upon arrival at Velana International Airport, the inaugural flight was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute, followed by a warm reception ceremony at the airport.
Effective October 27, 2024, Air Arabia will operate daily flights to and from the Maldives, with Flight G9 091 departing Sharjah at 08:00 and arriving in the Maldives at 13:20, and Flight G9 092 departing the Maldives at 14:20 and arriving in Sharjah at 17:55, using an Airbus A320 for both flights (all times local).
Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, commented: “The inaugural flight to the Maldives represents an exciting new chapter in our network expansion. We are excited to offer our customers direct access to this tropical paradise. With the addition of this new route, we reaffirm our commitment to provide affordable and value-driven air travel while offering more options to explore new destinations around the world”.
Ibrahim Shareef Mohamed, CEO & MD of MACL commented on the Inauguration: “As we welcome Air Arabia’s inaugural flight, we are excited about the opportunities this partnership presents for Velana International Airport. The direct connection to Sharjah will boost arrivals from the Middle Eastern market and broaden connections to numerous cities worldwide, strengthening VIA’s position in regional and global aviation with each new route. With a focus on the tourism sector, we develop our routes and airport to ensure affordable and seamless air travel for those looking to explore the beauty of our islands.”
Air Arabia operates a modern fleet of 77 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, recognized as the most advanced and best-selling single-aisle planes in the world. Providing a value-added onboard experience, these aircraft feature ‘SkyTime,’ a free in-flight streaming service, and ‘SkyCafe,’ which offers affordable onboard catering. Additionally, Air Arabia provides ‘Air Rewards,’ an innovative loyalty program that allows passengers to earn, transfer, and redeem points.
