air arabia to introduce service to kozhikode (calicut), india
• First airline in the Middle East to commence operations to Kozhikode
• Air Arabia’s 10th destination in India and third in state of Kerala
• Service to begin on February 26, 2008
• Flights to operate three times per week, then six times per week by end of May
Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, announced today that it will launch service to the South Indian city of Kozhikode (formerly known as “Calicut”) beginning February 26, subject to final approval from Directorate General Civil Aviation (DGCA) India. Roundtrip flights will initially operate three times per week between Kozhikode, the third largest city in Kerala, and Air Arabia’s hub in Sharjah. By the end of May, service will be expanded to six times per week. Air Arabia is the first Airline in the Middle East to commence operations to Kozhikode.
Air Arabia’s tenth destination in India, Kozhikode is also the carrier’s third destination in the state of Kerala. Currently, the carrier provides daily roundtrip service to Keralan cities Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. In total, Air Arabia now serves 38 destinations across the Middle East, North Africa, Indian Subcontinent and Central Asia.
“We are extremely pleased to announce the launch of service to our newest destination in India, demonstrating once again Air Arabia’s unmatched commitment to the Subcontinent,” said AK Nizar, Head of Commercial Department, Air Arabia. “Serving the greatest number of destinations in India of any regional airline, Air Arabia provides timely, efficient and cost-effective travel solutions for passengers traveling to and from the world’s second-most populous nation.
“The addition of Kozhikode to our growing destination network is particularly significant for the Indian expatriate population in the UAE and wider Gulf region, which includes an especially large percentage of non-resident Indians who call Kerala home. We are confident that the launch of Air Arabia service to Kozhikode will prove highly popular with both residents and the increasing number of visitors who seek to explore this historical city on the Arabian Sea.”
One of the largest cities in a coastal state famed for its natural beauty, Kozhikode was recently ranked as the second most livable urban centre in the entire country.
