Air Arabia launches new route to Georgia’s Batumi

Low cost carrier Air Arabia has launched flights to Batumi, the second largest city in Georgia, it announced on Monday.

The airline will operate two weekly flights to the Black Sea port city from its base in Sharjah on Thursdays and Saturdays.

The flights leave from Sharjah at 13:15, arriving in Batumi at 16:40. The return flights leave Batumi International Airport at 17:30 to arrive in Sharjah at 20:50.

Batumi, a seaside resort city, features a cluster of classical 19th century edifices including museums, monuments, cultural centers and mosques and cathedrals.

The city is also popular for its beaches, parks and squares.

Air Arabia, which already operates daily flights to the Georgian capital of Tbilsi, said it is looking to expand its connectivity in the European country.

Group chief executive officer Adel Ali said: “Batumi is a growing tourism destination and is popular during the summer months. Air Arabia’s new flights to Batumi will allow people and businesses across the Arabian region to discover this beautiful city while positively impacting tourism and economic growth.”

The airline, which currently operates flights to over 120 destinations in 33 countries, recently posted a 6 per cent decline in net profit for 2015. The decrease in profit came about as it continued to feel the impact of fuel hedging contracts signed before the sharp dip in oil prices.

The low cost carrier said its net profit dropped from Dhs 566m in 2014 to Dhs 531m in 2015. This followed a 13 per cent decline in Q4 to Dhs 59m from Dhs 68m in Q4 of the previous year.

Read more: Air Arabia 2015 profit slides, passenger numbers increase

Air Arabia added 23 routes last year including a regular non-stop service to Urumqi, China.