Air Arabia flies to Baku from Sharjah

THE Middle East and North Africa’s first largest low-cost carrier, Air Arabia launched its inaugural service from Sharjah to Baku last March 16. The new flight marked Air Arabia’s first entry into Azerbaijan’s expanding travel market. A formal mission headed by Air Arabia Chairman Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, Emirates ambassador to Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani Ambassador to UAE, UAE government representatives and the Chairman of the Representative Office of the Tourism Ministry of Azerbaijan in GCC Rashid Al Noori were on board the first flight to Baku. The inaugural flight left Sharjah International Airport Thursday morning at 9:00 am local time, and arrived in Azerbaijan’s Heydar Aliyev Airport Baku at 11:45 a.m., where the aircraft was ushered in with a traditional water canon salute upon landing. Air Arabia stated that Azerbaijan is a destination that will be served four times a week, under two flight timings: On Thursdays and Sundays, where the flight will depart Sharjah at 07:55 a.m. to reach Baku at 10:50 a.m. local time. The return flight will leave Baku at 11:30 a.m. to reach Sharjah at 14:10 p.m. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, the flight will leave Sharjah at 1455 to arrive in Baku at 1750 local time, and depart Baku at 1850 for its return trip, reaching Sharjah at 2130 local time. “We are delighted about the beginning of this service, now visitors to Azerbaijan from UAE are being given the finest opportunity to experience Azerbaijan as a destination of choice for authentic culture, nature and halal cuisine. We are also certain that this move by Air Arabia will contribute positively to the rapidly-growing tourism industry in Azerbaijan,” said Al Noori. — SG