New joint UAE airline venture receives permission to fly amid coronavirus downturn
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, an independent partnership between Air Arabia and Etihad, received its air operating license on April 23.
Two airlines based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) received permission to operate a new budget airline amid continued flight restrictions in the Gulf country due to the coronavirus.
Etihad and Air Arabia obtained their air operating license for Air Arabia Abu Dhabi — a joint, independent venture between the two airlines — on April 23, according to Reuters.
The license means Air Arabia Abu Dhabi planes have the legal right to fly from the UAE government. The two airlines will continue to fly independently but will also operate the new airline, which aims to be a “low-cost carrier,” according to an Air Arabia press release.
The CEO of Etihad Aviation Group, which owns Etihad, said the move is encouraging for the future of aviation in the UAE, despite the massive reduction in global travel due to the coronavirus.
