Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, a new joint venture between Air Arabia and Etihad Airways, for the first time landed at Oman after receiving the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) permission to operate regular flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), the UAE, to Muscat International Airport (MCT).
An Air Arabia Abu Dhabi Airbus A320, registered as A6-AUA, completed its first flight (3L251) from Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), the UAE to Muscat International Airport (MCT) on November 16, 2020. The flight record found on Flightradar.com showed that the flight took 43 minutes.
The airline’s Airbus A320 took-off the same day when the CAA of Oman granted authorization for regular twice-weekly flights. Following the CAA permission, the airline now is allowed to operate Abu Dhabi – Muscat route every Monday and Friday at 6.40 am (GTM+4) with the return flight setting off from Oman just before 8.30 am (GTM+4).
Since the beginning of operations on July 14, 2020, the Muscat International Airport appears to be the latest destination on Air Arabia Abu Dhabi’s network. In addition to its newly-launched AUC – MCT service, the airline also operates Egypt, Sudan, Uzbekistan, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh routes.
According to Etihad Airways statement released in July 2020, the new low-cost carrier was formed by Etihad Airways and Air Arabia with the aim to capitalize on the growing demand for budget traveling and reduce Etihad’s cost base. While complementing the services of Etihad, the new joint venture applies the business model of Air Arabia.
Planesspoters.net data showed that Air Arabia Abu Dhabi operates only two 8.5-year-old Airbus A320-200 jets.