Good news for travellers in Morocco came this week with the announcement that Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, will establish its second hub in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, providing the Sharjah-based airline with a platform from which to reach into the wider Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) market. This announcement follows the signing of a management agreement between Air Arabia and Regional Air Lines, the leading private carrier in Morocco.
We understand that under the terms of the agreement, Air Arabia will take over management control of the Morocco-based carrier. Air Arabia will apply its successful business model to the management Regional Air Lines.
Together with Air Arabia, Ithmaar Bank, a Bahrain-based investment bank with global reach, will provide a significant capital injection for the Morocco-based carrier and join Air Arabia and Regional Air Lines as partners in the newly created company.
Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, Chairman of Air Arabia, said: “Air Arabia is currently in the midst of a period of rapid expansion. This agreement provides us with the opportunity to reach into fast-growing markets in North Africa and across the Mediterranean into southern Europe. With a strong presence in the Egyptian cities of Alexandria, Luxor and Assiut, Air Arabia will now be able to expand significantly this coverage area across the EMEA region.”
Mohamed Hassan Ben Salah, Chairman, Regional Air Lines, said: “This agreement marks an important and natural next step in the evolution of Regional Air Lines, which was founded a decade ago to meet the needs of travellers within Morocco and in southern Europe. In partnership with Air Arabia and Ithmaar Bank, we will provide travellers in Morocco and across the EMEA region with far greater choice in selecting efficient and cost-effective travel solutions. Considering that Morocco expects to welcome an estimated 10 million tourists a year by 2010, this is an especially timely announcement. There is also a very large Moroccan diaspora, particularly in Europe, who will benefit when traveling between the Continent and the Kingdom.”
Khalid Abdulla-Janahi, Chairman of Ithmaar’s Board of Directors, said: “Given the financial strength and operational excellence of Air Arabia and the proven track record of Regional Air Lines, we see this agreement as an ideal way to strengthen both carriers. The seamless integration of the operations of the two airlines – along with the financial expertise provided by Ithmaar Bank – will lead to new synergies that will benefit all the partners.”
Ithmaar Bank is serving as the financial advisor and financier for the transaction.
Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news
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