Etihad and Air Arabia launching Abu Dhabi based low cost carrier
A new Abu Dhabi based low cost carrier has been unveiled.
Etihad Airways and low cost carrier Air Arabia will launch a new joint venture called Air Arabia Abu Dhabi.
The budget airline will be based in the UAE capital and will complement Etihad Airways’ full service schedule from Abu Dhabi.
The new airline’s board of directors, will come from members nominated by Etihad and Air Arabia but will be run as an independent standalone business.
"We are thrilled to partner with Etihad to establish Air Arabia Abu Dhabi that will further serve the growing low-cost travel segment locally and regionally," said Adel Al Ali, group chief executive officer at Air Arabia.
"This step demonstrates the strength of the UAE aviation sector and serves the vision driving its growth."
It marks a new direction in strategy for Etihad which has up until now investing in smaller, sometime struggling, airlines but these tie-ups have not fared well in the past.
Ill-fated partnerships with the now defunct Air Berlin and Jet Airways cost Etihad dearly.
Etihad and Air Arabia did not share details on when the new airline would launch or what routes it will start flying.
Further updates will be ‘communicated it the near future’ the airlines said.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026