Long haul LCC narrowbody: Air Arabia, Jazeera Airways join the party

Long haul low cost narrowbody operations are spreading to the Middle East with the upcoming launch of services from Sharjah to Kuala Lumpur by Air Arabia and from Kuwait to London Gatwick by Jazeera Airways.

Kuala Lumpur will become Air Arabia's first long haul destination on 1-Jul-2019 and London will become Jazeera's first long haul destination at a date later in 2H2019 that has not yet been determined.

Air Arabia and Jazeera are the Middle East's two oldest LCCs, having launched in 2003 and 2005. Flydubai launched in 2009 and by some measures is the only Middle East LCC with long haul routes, but is generally no longer considered an LCC.

Air Arabia is able to add Kuala Lumpur and other long haul routes not yet announced using its new fleet of A321neoLRs. Air Arabia has only committed to six A321neoLRs but is considering the acquisition of more long range narrowbody aircraft as part of an order for more than 100 new aircraft that the group expects to place in 2H2019.

Jazeera is also considering acquiring A321neoLRs but is using A320neos to launch London and - at least for the time being - is focusing on expanding its A320neo fleet.