Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways Ramp Up Operations After Wizz Air's Exit

(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, the capital's first low-cost carrier, has expanded its fleet with the addition of two Airbus A320 aircraft, bringing its total fleet size to 12 aircraft.

The carrier also announced plans to add two more Airbus A320 aircraft before the end of the year. This fleet increase will boost total capacity by 40 per cent in 2025, reinforcing Air Arabia Abu Dhabi's commitment to the growth of the Capital's aviation sector.

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Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways also announced seven new destinations across the Gulf, Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia regions to further expand its network.

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The new destinations are Almaty, Kazakhstan; Baku, Azerbaijan; Bucharest, Romania; Madina, Saudi Arabia; Tbilisi, Georgia; Tashkent, Uzbekistan; and Yerevan, Armenia. The airline said that the increase of flights was part of its strategy to bring more point-to-point traffic directly to Abu Dhabi.

The announcements from the two airlines comes on the heels of Wizz Air's decision to withdraw from Abu Dhabi in September 2025 and focus on its main eastern European market. The Hungary-headquartered airline blamed recent geopolitical instability for frequent airspace closures and disruptions, which have hit travel demand, meaning there was no hope for recovery at the loss-making unit.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi said this expansion is part of the airline's ongoing growth strategy. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said, "The addition of new aircraft and our strategic fleet expansion reflect our ongoing commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and expanding our network reach. This growth supports the rising demand for air travel to and from Abu Dhabi."

He added, "The planned capacity increase in 2025 will further contribute to the capital's broader economic and tourism vision while continuing to offer value-driven air travel to our customers."

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi's recent network expansions include new routes to Yerevan, Almaty, and Sialkot, further broadening its reach. The airline now connects Abu Dhabi with non-stop service to over 30 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, and Eastern Europe, offering seamless travel options for residents, businesses, and visitors alike.

Since its launch in 2020, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi has emerged as a key enabler of air connectivity from the UAE capital, providing its customers with affordable and reliable air travel.

With Wizz Air's departure from the market, budget travellers may face higher ticket prices. However, affordable options remain available for short-haul travellers and backpackers through carriers like SalamAir, Flynas, SpiceJet, Jazeera Airways, Air Arabia, Flyadeal, Fly Jinnah, and others.

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