Air Arabia (PJSC), described as the first and largest low-cost carrier (LLC) operator in the Middle East and North Africa, Monday announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2015 as the airline’s route and hub expansion strategy continued to deliver strong financials and healthy passenger number growth.

For the three months ending March 31, 2015, Air Arabia reported a net profit of AED85 million, an increase of 13 percent on the corresponding 2014 figure of AED75 million. During the same period, the airline’s turnover reached AED886 million, an increase of 7 percent compared to AED827 million in the first quarter of last year.

Over 1.8 million Passengers flew with Air Arabia between January and March 2015, which is 10 percent higher than the number of 1.6 million for the corresponding period of last year. The airline’s average seat load factor — or passengers carried as a percentage of available seats — during the first three months of 2015 stood at an impressive 81 percent.

“We are delighted to record another quarter of strong performance across our operations, with Air Arabia maintaining its steady, long-term growth trajectory,” said Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Thani, chairman of Air Arabia. “The increase in profits coupled with continuous growth in seat factors and ever expanding route strategy is a reflection of Air Arabia’s sustainable business model”.