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Sharjah Aviation Services launched to support expansion of Sharjah Airport(Al Bawaba Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman of the Sharjah Department of Civil Aviation, announced today the creation of Sharjah Aviation Services to support the ongoing expansion of Sharjah Airport. Sharjah Aviation Services will deliver a comprehensive range of passenger, ramp and cargo handling services for airline operators and their customers at Sharjah Airport. Sharjah Aviation Services is a joint venture between the Sharjah Department of Civil Aviation and Air Arabia, the low-cost carrier based at Sharjah Airport. Passenger traffic at Sharjah Airport increased more than 36 per cent last year, and the facility received more than 3 million passengers. Following the imminent completion of an AED 350 million expansion project at Sharjah Airport, the airport will be capable of handling up to 8 million passengers a year from 2007. Announcing the creation of Sharjah Aviation Services, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, who is also Chairman of Air Arabia, said: "Sharjah Airport continues to offer new and improved facilities and services, including a new state-of-the-art terminal and ground-handling provider. Through Sharjah Aviation Services, we will ensure that both airline operators and their customers continue to turn to Sharjah as an international gateway to the UAE, Gulf and wider region." He added: "The support of the Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the Supreme Council of the UAE, His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, has been critical to the successful expansion of Sharjah Airport and, specifically, to the launch of Sharjah Aviation Services. We are extremely grateful for his support and guiding vision." Dr. Ghanem Al Hajri, Chairman of Sharjah Aviation Services, said: "Sharjah Aviation Services was created to ensure that, in the midst of this period of landmark expansion, the quality of service at Sharjah Airport remains second to none. With more airlines, customers and cargo, Sharjah Aviation Services will respond effectively to the new needs and expectations of all our partners and clients." Adel Ali, Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia, said: "Our customers rightly demand even higher and more efficient levels of service from both Air Arabia and Sharjah Airport. We are confident that Sharjah Aviation Services will help secure that reputation for safe, secure, efficient and customer-focused operations." About Air Arabia: Air Arabia was established in February 2003 by an Amiri decree issued by His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohamed Al Qassimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates. The company began operations in October of the same year. Based in Sharjah and with a fleet of nine Airbus A320 aircraft, Air Arabia serves 32 destinations across the Middle East, North Africa, Indian Subcontinent and Central Asia, including Afghanistan, Armenia, Bahrain, Egypt, India, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Nepal, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Sudan, Turkey and Yemen. Air Arabia is modeled after leading American and European low-cost airlines and is customized to local preferences. Its main focus is to make air travel more convenient through Internet booking and offering the lowest fares in the market without sacrificing on service or safety standards. About Sharjah Airport: Sharjah Airport was established in 1932 as a stopover point for Imperial Airways flights en route to India and Australia. Today, more than 3 million passengers, over 40,000 flights and in excess of 500,000 tonnes of cargo a year pass through the airport. An AED 350 million expansion programme to be completed in 2007 will see the airport expand to accommodate up to 8 million passengers a year, with 42 new check-in counters, six new air bridges, 16 new passport-control counters, four E-gates and additional parking for 800 vehicles. 2007 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com) Copyright 2007 Al Bawaba, Source: The Financial Times Limited |