JEDDAH, 5 June 2007 — Air Arabia, the first low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, has been named winner of the Award for Operational Excellence for 2005-2007 by Airbus, one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers. Air Arabia was chosen from among global airlines operating fewer than 50 A320 aircraft.
“We are very glad to be chosen for this award because we look at Airbus as one of the most prestigious aircraft companies in the world and winning this award only reflects the commitment and level of high standards and safety that Air Arabia applies,” a spokesman for Air Arabia told Arab News in a telephone interview.
He added that the award comes completely from Airbus and is based on the aviation company’s research and observations involving operations and safety on various airlines around the globe.
In fact, in selecting Air Arabia for the operational Excellence Award, Airbus conducted a detailed technical analysis of all carriers in the segment. Air Arabia recorded the highest indicators for operational reliability over the three-year period, reflecting the carrier’s maintenance and technical standards.
Charles Champion, executive vice president, customer services, Airbus said “Air Arabia is a remarkable example of an LCC that operates its fleet in the most efficient and professional manner possible. The Operational Excellence Award Committee looked carefully at every aspect of the airline’s fleet utilization, and concluded that Air Arabia clearly deserved this award. All of us at Airbus are proud to see our aircraft serve an integral part of Air Arabia’s success.”
“And this is not the first time we have won an award from Airbus this year,” a
spokesman for Air Arabia added.
In January of this year, Air Arabia received a special certificate for achieving the highest average level of A320 fleet utilization between 2005-2006 and within only the last few days was handed the Sharjah Economic Excellence Award, chosen from among all existing companies in the emirate of Sharjah across various sectors and industries for being one of the most economically-run businesses in the UAE state.
The airline plans to expand the size of its existing fleet from nine to at least 34 aircraft by 2016.