Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi’s first low-cost airline, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, has announced a new direct route connecting the UAE’s capital with Yekaterinburg, Russia.

Starting December 27, the non-stop service will operate twice weekly, linking Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi with Koltsovo International Airport in Yekaterinburg.

Adel Al Ali, Group CEO of Air Arabia, expressed excitement about the expansion, stating, “We are delighted to introduce this new route to Yekaterinburg, the second Russian city Air Arabia Abu Dhabi now serves after Moscow.”

Launched as a joint venture with Etihad Airways, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi aims to tap into the growing low-cost market, bringing more affordable travel options to UAE residents and visitors.

He said, “This addition strengthens the capital’s connectivity with key destinations, enhancing travel options for our customers while contributing to the growth of the UAE’s travel and tourism industries.”

Earlier this month, Air Arabia announced the launch of direct flights connecting Ras Al Khaimah International Airport with Moscow Domodedovo Airport, starting December 27. The new route will operate three times a week, providing a direct link between the two cities. Yekaterinburg is the second Russian city Air Arabia, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi's parent concern, will fly to after Moscow.

He also said, “Our commitment remains focused on providing affordable, value-driven air travel, fostering connections between the UAE and Russia, and offering passengers more options to explore new destinations”.

With the addition of Yekaterinburg to its route network, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi currently serves 29 routes directly from the capital, Abu Dhabi, including Ahmedabad, Alexandria, Almaty, Amman, Baghdad, Bahrain, Baku, Beirut, Cairo, Chittagong, Chennai, Colombo, Dhaka, and Faisalabad. The airline also flies to Kathmandu, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Kuwait, Moscow, Multan, Muscat, Salalah, Sabiha, Sohag, Tashkent, Tbilisi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Trabzon.

-B