Air Arabia receives first Airbus A320neo of 120-aircraft order

Air Arabia has taken delivery of its first A320neo, part of a 120-aircraft order placed with Airbus. The milestone was celebrated at Sharjah International Airport with company executives and local officials in attendance.

The airline’s order includes 73 A320neo, 27 A321neo, and 20 A321XLR models. According to Air Arabia, the newly delivered A320neo will enter commercial service on October 1, operating the Sharjah-Bangkok route.

“The delivery of the first aircraft from our Airbus order marks an important milestone in Air Arabia’s growth and fleet development strategy. As we continue to strengthen our fleet, we remain committed to operational efficiency, innovation and sustainability, while ensuring comfort and value for our passengers,” said Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, Chairman of Air Arabia.

This delivery is part of Air Arabia’s second direct order with Airbus, following the airline’s previous fleet expansion in 2007 with 49 A320 aircraft.

The A320neo is configured in a single-class layout with 174 seats and is powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines. The aircraft is equipped with Sharklets, which contribute to a 20% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared to previous generation models. It offers a range of up to six hours, enabling flexibility for the airline’s network.

Air Arabia plans to deploy the new A320neo across multiple hubs, including Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Morocco, Egypt, and Pakistan. The aircraft features onboard amenities such as ‘SkyTime’ for streaming and ‘SkyCafe’ for inflight menu options.

The addition of the A320neo supports the airline’s fleet expansion and aims to improve operational efficiency. Further aircraft deliveries are scheduled for later this year, with Air Arabia targeting growth in key markets and reinforcing its presence across its network.

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