Sharjah-based budget carrier Air Arabia plans to launch Jordan’s first low-cost carrier together with local investment firm Tantash Group.

The new airline will be called Air Arabia Jordan, however it is not yet clear when the new carrier will begin operations, but the airline will be funded by Air Arabia and Tantash Group.

Air Arabia Jordan will operate from four hubs, including Air Arabia’s existing three hubs of Sharjah, Casablanca and Alexandria, which began operating on 1 June.

The fourth hub for both Air Arabia and Air Arabia Jordan will be Amman.

Air Arabia’s secondary hubs in Casablanca in Morocco and Borg El-Arab airport near Alexandria in Egypt are not expected to be profitable until 2012, according to a report by Egyptian investment bank HC Securities and Investments (MEED 29:3:10).

The new airline will offer direct flights to various destinations in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.

Air Arabia Group will manage the new airline.

Air Arabia began operations in 2003 and currently serves 64 destinations. It is starting flights to the Iraqi city of Najaf on 8 June.