Sharjah-based low-cost airline Air Arabia has recorded a 27 per cent increase in its first quarter profits compared to the same period in 2013.

The airline generated AED75m ($20.4m) in net profit in the first three months of the year. Turnover reached AED827m, marking an increase of 14.5 per cent on the same quarter in 2013.

Passenger numbers also grew, with 1.63m passengers passing through the airport in the first quarter, an increase of 12 per cent on last year’s figures.

The airline has also opened a second hub in the UAE in the first three months of this year, having become the designated carrier operating flights from Ras Al-Khaimah international airport. The first flight took off on 6 May, and the airline operates services to 7 cities.