First-quarter turnover reaches AED 1.8bn; seat load factor rises to 86% with 4.7mn passengers carried.
Air Arabia has announced its financial and operational results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2026.
Air Arabia reported a net profit of AED 278mn for the first quarter ending March 31, 2026, representing a 22 percent decline compared to AED 355mn recorded in the same period last year.
This drop was driven by the impact of the ongoing conflict in the region, which resulted in a sharp reduction in capacity due to airspace closures and temporary operational restrictions.
Turnover increase
The airline recorded a turnover of AED 1.8bn during the first quarter of 2026, marking a 1 percent increase compared to the corresponding quarter in 2025.
During the same period, Air Arabia carried 4.7mn passengers across its operating hubs, a 5 percent decrease compared to the same quarter last year, while the average seat load factor—passengers carried as a percentage of available seats—rose to 86 percent, up 2 percentage points year-on-year.
“Our ability to optimize capacity and maintain operational continuity enabled us to effectively manage the impact during this ongoing critical period,” affirmed Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani, Chairman, Air Arabia.
“Despite these challenges, we are pleased to have delivered a solid first-quarter performance, supported by continued strong passenger demand across our network wherever we operated. This reflects the strength of our multi-hub business model, our disciplined cost management, and our ongoing focus on operational efficiency and service excellence,” Sheikh Abdullah added.
