UAE’s Air Arabia becomes first regional airline to add A321neo LR to its fleet

Sharjah-based low-cost carrier Air Arabia has received its first Airbus A321neo Long Range (LR) aircraft, it announced on Monday.

The aircraft flew nonstop from Airbus’s facility in Hamburg to Sharjah International Airport.

Air Arabia is the first Middle Eastern airline to operate the A321neo LR and the delivery is the first of six aircraft that will join its fleet.

“The addition of the A321neo LR will enable Air Arabia to expand to new medium-haul markets in addition to strengthening the existing routes with increased seat capacity,” the airline said in a statement.

The aircraft, powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines, accommodates 215 passengers and features Air Arabia’s new cabin interior that was launched as part of its rebranding in October last year.

Read: Pictures: UAE low-cost carrier Air Arabia reveals new brand identity

The A321neo LR also provides the longest range of any single-aisle airliner.

Adel Al Ali, group CEO of Air Arabia, said: “The addition of this new aircraft allows us to expand our service to farther and newer destinations while remaining loyal to our low-cost business model. We look forward to receiving the remaining aircraft in 2019.”

Air Arabia’s fleet currently comprises 53 A320 family aircraft serving more than 155 routes worldwide from four hubs in the UAE, (Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah), Morocco and Egypt.

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