Sharjah-based budget carrier Air Arabia is launching its first two routes to Russia.

The airline will start flights to Moscow on 14 October and Yekaterinburg on 29 October. The two new routes brings Air Arabia’s total destination network to 69.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the upcoming launch of service to Moscow and Yekaterinburg, which represents a significant milestone in the history of Air Arabia,” says Adel Ali, group chief executive officer of the airline.

“Indeed, it seems entirely appropriate that we will introduce service to one of the world’s great cities in October at a time when we will be celebrating the eighth anniversary of [the] launch of Air Arabia itself.”

In September, the carrier also launched flights to Yanbu on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast (MEED 5:9:11).

Air Arabia also expects to take delivery of two Airbus A320 aircraft by the end of 2011.