DUBAI, 14 February 2005 — United Arab Emirates-based budget carrier Air Arabia claimed a “resounding success” for its first year of operations yesterday as it posted break-even results. “For its first financial year, Air Arabia’s revenue totaled 216 million dirhams (around $60 million) with a similar expenditure over the period,” said the airline, which is owned by the government of Sharjah, one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE. “We were anticipating year one to be a loss-making year, projecting break-even during year two and posting a marginal profit during year three,” said Chief Executive Officer Adel Ali.