United Arab Emirates (UAE) low-cost carrier Air Arabia has revealed plans to further expand its network across the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) with the resumption of flights to the Armenian capital Yerevan. The budget operator will introduce a twice weekly link to the city’s Zvartnots International Airport from its Sharjah International Airport base from August 16, 2013, and is the group’s its fifth new destination this year.

The ancient city of Yerevan is Armenia’s capital and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, offering a wide array of museums, parks, restaurants and sightseeing opportunities within a country that has a diverse landscape comprises mountains, forests, lakes and waterfalls.

“Armenia is rapidly emerging as a must-visit destination for tourists seeking great culture and history alongside fantastic scenery and outdoor activities.  Yerevan adds further strength to our already comprehensive network of destinations in Eastern Europe, and continues the rapid route expansion we have enjoyed since the beginning of the year.”

Adel Ali
Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia

“Armenia is rapidly emerging as a must-visit destination for tourists seeking great culture and history alongside fantastic scenery and outdoor activities,” said Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia. “Yerevan adds further strength to our already comprehensive network of destinations in Eastern Europe, and continues the rapid route expansion we have enjoyed since the beginning of the year.”

Air Arabia previously served this route for a couple of years in the past decade, introducing flights in February 2007 and ending services in January 2009. It will be the sole carrier to serve the Sharjah – Yerevan city pair but fellow UAE low-cost carrier also serves the wider UAE market with flights from Dubai, a destination that was also served up until earlier this year by Armenia’s national carrier Armavia prior to its collapse.

In 2012 an estimated 50,000 bi-directional O&D passengers travelled between destination across the UAE and Yerevan. Although current passenger flows between Sharjah and Yerevan are limited as passengers on the route take to ground transportation to fly to and from the Armenian capital from Dubai, in the two full years that Air Arabia served the route around 10,000 (2007) and 8,000 (2008) O&D passengers were recorded.