Air Arabia is about to forge an interesting link for those who want to visit the United Arab Emirates, with a planned route between Sharjah and London Gatwick.
The airline will launch a twice-daily service between Sharjah and London Gatwick from 29th March 2026. The route will be operated by the airline’s Airbus A321LR aircraft.
Planned operations are:
G9258 DEPART SHJ 13:45 ARRIVE LGW 18:35 G9265 DPEART SHJ 03:55 ARRIVE LGW 08:45 G9259 DEPART LGW 19:35 ARRIVE SHJ 05:50 G9266 DEPART LGW 03:55 ARRIVE SHJ 10:05 Commences 29th March 2026 Operates Twice Daily Booked Equipment: Airbus A321LR
Air Arabia offers their A321LR in a 215-seater single-class cabin with the usual 3-3 seating installed. For entertainment, the airline offers what it calls ‘SkyTime’, its complimentary in-flight streaming service, and ‘SkyCafe’, its onboard menu.
For passengers who wish to connect onwards to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the airline offers a coach service. There are details here.
In Quotes
Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said:
“The launch of our new service to London Gatwick marks a significant milestone in Air Arabia’s ongoing growth journey. This expansion reflects our continued commitment to connecting our key markets with greater reach and convenience while delivering the value-driven travel experience Air Arabia is known for.
“The introduction of London Gatwick not only enhances connectivity from our Sharjah hub but reflects our commitment to offering customers, whether travelling for business or leisure, a greater choice of affordable and reliable air travel options. We look forward to welcoming travellers onboard and providing them with direct access between the UAE and the United Kingdom.”
Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer, London Gatwick, said:
“Demand for flights to destinations across the Middle East has really taken off this year and we have been delighted to offer passengers across London and the South East an increasingly fantastic range of routes and choice of carriers.
“It is an exciting time for another operator to join London Gatwick following the recent government approval for routine use of our Northern Runway and we look forward to welcoming Air Arabia in March, serving the historic city of Sharjah and the wider Middle Eastern region.”
An increasing Middle East footprint
With Air Arabia joining the Gatwick party, it will increase the total weekly flights between London Gatwick and the Middle East to 80.
Multiple carriers have increased capacity to the region, with Wizz Air launching its XLR services to Medina and Jeddah, Qatar Airways operating larger 787-9 aircraft to Doha, Saudia increasing frequency of its new Neom Bay route and Gulf Air delivering strong numbers on its first summer at London Gatwick, operating to Bahrain.
Clearly, Air Arabia thinks there’s a lot to squeeze from the low-cost market between London and the UAE and that people will be happy heading to Sharjah to make onward connections, be it within the United Arab Emirates or beyond.
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