Air Arabia will fly to eight routes from Ras Al Khaimah International Airport from May 6. Ras Al Khaimah will be the airline’s fourth international base and second in the UAE, according to officials.

Ras Al-Khaimah’s official carrier RAK Airways had suspended its operations from Ras Al Khaimah Airport since Jan. 1 “due to continuous market conditions, increased operating costs and the impact of the regional political instability on the overall aviation industry.”

During a joint press conference with the RAK Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) and the Tourism Development Authority, Adel Ali, group CEO of Air Arabia, said that Air Arabia is well positioned to cater to the travel needs of the northern Emirates.

Two new Airbus A320 aircraft will initially be based at RAK International Airport to service regular routes to Jeddah, Cairo, Muscat, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Dhaka and Kozhikode in India, which will be added shortly after launch. “As our designated carrier, Air Arabia’s operations will be a key component of a comprehensive strategy to develop a vibrant, distinct and sustainable tourism sector in Ras Al Khaimah to rival the most established destinations in the region,” said Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, chairman, Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Ras Al Khaimah.

In February 2014, Air Arabia and the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Civil Aviation entered into a long-term strategic partnership to significantly increase the number of destinations. From its hub at RAK International Airport, Air Arabia will follow exactly the same value-for-money business model as it does from its primary base in Sharjah.