Air Arabia

Based in Sharjah and offering regular flights to Colombo, Delhi and Mumbai for less than AED600 ($163), the region’s first and largest affordable carrier has enabled millions of people to travel more frequently.

Launched in 2003, Air Arabia underwent considerable expansion in 2016 by adding new routes to its global network and welcoming seven new aircraft. Its current fleet of 46 Airbus A320s flies to 130 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe.

In addition to enabling travel for the masses, Air Arabia has garnered praise for its community outreach activities. Its Charity Cloud project raises funds through on-board donations, which are subsequently invested in educational and medical care establishments.

Thanks to Charity Cloud, the company has launched a free medical clinic in the Jallas area of Sudan, funded a school in the Warakapola area of Sri Lanka, modernised an autistic children training centre in Turkey and built further schools and clinics across India, Nepal and Yemen. Today, the company flies over seven million passengers a year and benefits many more people through its philanthropic endeavours.