Air Arabia set to receive 6 planes from Airbus

Air Arabia, the largest low cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, has said it is set to receive six new aircraft in 2012. The airline also said it has received its sixth Airbus plane this year, after taking delivery of its latest A320 in Hamburg, Germany. The new aircraft has gone straight into service across Air Arabia's network of 70 destinations, the carrier said in a statement. Air Arabia has now taken delivery of eight out of 44 A320 aircraft ordered back in 2007. The delivery of the 44 will be completed by 2016, and will more than double the size of Air Arabia's fleet, in line with its aim to increase its total operating fleet to more than 50 aircraft. "The delivery of our sixth aircraft in 2011 is a great way to end the year," said Adel Ali, group CEO at Air Arabia. "In just eight years, Air Arabia has created one of the region's state-of-the-art fleets of modern and reliable aircraft, enabling us to combine superb value for money with operational excellence. We look forward to the delivery of six more new aircraft in 2012." From its three main hubs, Sharjah in the UAE, Casablanca in Morocco and Alexandria in Egypt, Air Arabia serves a network of 70 international routes spread across Europe, the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, Central Asia and North Africa.