Air Arabia announced that its net profits for financial year ending December 31st, 2010 fell only slightly to Dh 452 million, despite the difficult financial times for the global aviation industry. Air Arabia, which is the biggest low cost airline listed on the Dubai Financial Market for the Middle East and North Africa posted profits of Dh 454 million for the financial year ending December 31st, 2008.  Air Arabia said they posted a turnover of Dh 2 billion for the 2009 financial year, 4.5 percent lower than the Dh2.06 billion recorded in 2008.   

Nabil Farhat, Partner with Al Fajer Securities said Air Arabia’s profits were below their expectations of Dh 480 million, but given the increased competition and rising fuel costs, the carrier performed well.  Farhat noted “With the global economy set to emerge from recession in 2010 more people are going to travel and this should help improve the company’s revenue and profitability.”