February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

Air Arabia is the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa region, headquartered at Sharjah International Airport in the UAE. Founded in 2003, the airline operates on a no-frills business model offering affordable point-to-point air travel. Air Arabia is publicly listed on the Dubai Financial Market, making it one of the few publicly traded LCCs in the region.

UAE Context

Air Arabia has played a significant role in democratizing air travel across the MENA region by providing budget-friendly alternatives to full-service carriers like Emirates and Etihad. The airline operates hubs in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Abu Dhabi, with its Abu Dhabi operations launched as a joint venture with Etihad in 2020. By serving secondary airports and underserved routes, Air Arabia complements the UAE’s premium carriers and expands the country’s overall aviation connectivity.

Key Data

  • Founded: 2003
  • Headquarters: Sharjah International Airport
  • Destinations: Over 200 routes across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe
  • Fleet: Airbus A320 family aircraft
  • Listed on: Dubai Financial Market (DFM)
  • Hubs: Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi

Significance for Vision 2031

Air Arabia supports the UAE’s tourism and connectivity goals by making the country accessible to price-sensitive travellers. Its expansion into new hubs and routes aligns with national objectives to increase annual visitor numbers and strengthen the non-oil economy. The airline’s presence in Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah also contributes to the broader goal of balanced economic development across all seven emirates.

  • Dubai Financial Market - Exchange where Air Arabia is publicly listed
  • Non-Oil GDP - Economic diversification metric supported by aviation growth
  • Free Zone - Regulatory model underpinning many UAE aviation operations