Another airline is set to take to the Middle East skies, with Sharjah announcing that its airline Air Arabia is set to take wing in October this year.

This was announced at a press conference held at the Sharjah International Airport chaired by HE Shaikh Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman Department of Civil Aviation in Sharjah and Dr Ghanem Al-Hajri, Director General Civil Aviation and Sharjah Airport Authority.

This step was taken according to the Chairman after in-depth, intensive and extensive economic and socio-economic studies made earlier by an international consultant.

The Chairman of the DCA explained that, the establishment of the new airline is the Sharjah Government's response to the market demand and to fill a void that was felt by the community in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates.

'This venture would help to provide a convenient service of the transportation needs of many sectors in this community. This would also bring along positive economic and socially beneficial knock-on effects that would improve the situation for many organisations and the people of the land, ' he said.

Sheikh Abdullah stated: 'We believe Air Arabia will improve and complement air transportation for both the Nationals and the residents of Sharjah and Northern Emirates, it will also provide travellers and the tourist with yet another gateway to the United Arab Emirates. It is natural that Air Arabia will create more jobs and business opportunities.'

Air Arabia will be based at the Sharjah International Airport and serve destinations in the Middle East and South Asian subcontinent. The airline is wholly-owned by Arab Aviation Company. The limited liability company will have a 60:40 joint venture between the Sharjah Civil Aviation Department and the Sharjah International Airport Authority.

It will have an initial operational capital of Dh10 million.