Aviation Regional tensions fail to dampen Air Arabia’s ascent By Pramod Kumar February 14, 2025, 9:02 AM Alamy via Reuters Air Arabia added 31 new routes in 2024, which led to a 13 percent year-on-year increase in operational capacity Fourth-quarter profit of Air Arabia, which trades on the Dubai Financial Market, rose 56 percent despite regional tensions and effective cost control, the company said. The low-cost airline, in which the government of Sharjah also has a stake, reported a net profit of AED351 million ($95.6 million) in the last quarter of 2024, compared to AED225 million a year ago. Total turnover rose 7 percent to AED1.7 billion, driven by an 11 percent increase in passenger numbers to more than 4.7 million. The seat load factor increased by 2 percent to 83 percent, indicating sustained demand. Net profit after tax reached AED1.5 billion last year. However, net earnings before tax rose 4 percent year on year to AED1.6 billion. Total turnover surpassed AED6.6 billion, an 11 percent growth from AED6 billion in 2023. The Sharjah-headquartered airline added 31 new routes, leading to a 13 percent year-on-year increase in operational capacity and an annual 12 percent rise in passenger volume to 18.8 million. The average seat load factor rose 2 percent year on year to 82 percent. Air Arabia Q3 profit up as turnover rises 10% Air Arabia profits slip even as revenues climb Despite geopolitical tensions and economic challenges impacting the region, the airline sustained growth in 2024, driven by increased operating capacity, the launch of new routes, and continued network expansion, said chairman Abdullah Al Thani. The company’s board has proposed a cash dividend of 25 percent of share capital. The stock closed at AED3.19, up 0.6 percent, on Thursday.
