Air Arabia launches B'lore-Sharjah flights

Low-cost carrier Air Arabia will launch daily flights connecting Bangalore and Sharjah from October 28. A round trip is likely to cost "less than Rs 10,000, including taxes and surcharge, if passengers book two weeks in advance," company officials said.

The normal fare for the same journey is around Rs 12,000, one way. Akin to the low-cost model adopted by Indian carriers, passengers will have to purchase food and beverages from 14 items on sale aboard the aircraft.

Addressing the media here on Thursday, Air Arabia board member and CEO Adel Ali said the firm had already received requests from around 300 Haj pilgrims in Bangalore alone.

"We do not have direct flights to Jeddah yet. But we plan to increase the number of destinations soon," he said.

From October 28, Air Arabia flights will depart from Sharjah at 11.05 pm and reach Bangalore at 4.20 am. Flights from Bangalore will leave at 5.05 am and arrive in Sharjah at 7.30 am, according to a release.

Air Arabia commenced operations in India in March 2005 and connects nine Indian cities to West Asia. The company, which was recently listed on the Dubai Financial Market, claims to have raised around $1 bn from its recent IPO.