Air Arabia 'Egypt' Commences Operations

Online, July 5, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Air Arabia 'Egypt', Egypt's first international low-cost carrier, announced that it has received its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) from the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority, clearing the way for the imminent launch of Air Arabia 'Egypt', the Alexandria-based joint venture company.
Formed in cooperation between Air Arabia and Travco, Air Arabia Egypt started operating from Egypt with two aircrafts serving selective destinations in the Middle
East and Africa and soon will serve the Europe.

The first and largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, Air Arabia Egypt began operations from Alexandria Burj Al Arab Airport to Khartoum and Beirut three times weekly. Moreover it operates four times a week to Amman, and Abu Dhabi, in addition to operating daily flights to Kuwait, with the possibility to connect to further points via its existing hubs in the UAE and Morocco.

"During this period of continuous growth and prosperity in the Egyptian Travel and Tourism sector, we are confident of the positive role Air Arabia Egypt will play in this respect. Travelers in Egypt and the wider EMEA region will benefit from the value-for-money fares, excellent service and growing range of destinations provided by Air Arabia Egypt" said Hamed El Chiaty, Chairman and CEO of Travco Group. In regards to the inauguration of service, he added "this represents a milestone in the history of the travel and hospitality industry here in Egypt - and for all of us at the Travco Group and Air Arabia," added El Chiaty. "For more than three decades, we have focused on fostering the development of an umbrella of brands that contribute to the diversification of the domestic tourism industry, which is vital to the Egyptian economy." "With the launch of Air Arabia 'Egypt', we further expand the opportunities for travelers from across the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region to visit the Arab world's most-populous nation, whether for business, leisure or personal reasons, while also increasing opportunities for Egypt-based individuals and companies to reach out across the markets we serve," he said. "Together with Air Arabia, we look forward to further expanding the range of destinations and services provided by Air Arabia 'Egypt' in the months and years to come."

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, Chairman of Air Arabia Group said: "We thank the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authorities for their continuous support and we are very enthusiastic about the beginning of our services from Alexandria's Burj Al Arab International Airport since 1st of June. Air Arabia is continuously expanding to offer a wider segment of customers the best value for money choice for air travel. We are confident that Air Arabia 'Egypt' will pursue the success path that our hubs in the UAE and Morocco have followed, by complementing our ever growing network of 64 destinations."
Complementing our existing operations in the United Arab Emirates and Morocco, this new low-cost carrier will provide the same consistently high level of service, operational reliability and value-for-money fares that have become the hallmark of Air Arabia. We thank the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority and the management of Burj Al Arab International Airport as well as all our strategic partners for marking the launch of Air 'Egypt'". He continued: "Working together with Travco Group, with whom we share a vision of facilitating economic growth and positive contribution to
Egyptian tourism sector, we remain committed creating further opportunities for affordable reliable travel across this young and vibrant region." Arabia 'Egypt' is now

About Travco:
The 13 year award winner Travco Group has permeated every facet of Egypt's tourism industry, with a unique fully integrated business model. Travco Group International Holding umbrella includes the following brands; Travco Travel the flagship destination management company (DMC) of the group handles more than 1.3 million tourists annually. Their renowned hospitality brands are the luxury hotel brands Jaz, Iberotel, Sol Y Mar Hotels & Resorts and Travcotels Nile Cruises. This is in addition to the leading German hotel chains recently acquired, Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts and InterCity Hotels. Travco Properties is Travco's real estate development arm and features two mega developments namely Almaza Bay on Egypt's North Coast and Madinat Makadi on the Red Sea. Travco Transport and Prestige Cars oversee the transportation fleet.

For further information, please visit: www.travcogroup.com