Air Arabia to open new international hub in Jordan

AMMAN — Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, announced Monday in a press statement that it will open a new international hub at the Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan, its fifth fixed-based operation globally, following the acquisition of a 49 per cent stake in Petra Airlines.

The deal will see the existing principle shareholder of Perta Airlines, RUM Group, maintain a 51 per cent stake.

"The new partnership will also lead to the creation of Air Arabia Jordan and will reinforce the airline's leadership of the low-cost aviation market in the MENA and Levant region," the press statement said.

Following the acquisition and the establishment of the new  Air Arabia Jordan, operations' is expected to commence in the first quarter of 2015. The newly established carrier, managed by Air Arabia, will follow the carrier's business model serving as Air Arabia's fifth hub in the Arab world.

Air Arabia Jordan will provide direct service to a range of destinations across the Europe, Middle East and North Africa region from Queen Alia International Airport.