Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa's first and largest low-cost carrier, touched down in Batumi, the second largest city of Georgia. The airline operates two weekly flights to the famed Black Sea port city from its primary Sharjah International Airport hub on Thursday and Saturdays at 13:15, arriving at Batumi at 16:40. The return flights are scheduled to leave Batumi International Airport at 17:30 to arrive in Sharjah at 20:50. A fascinating seaside resort city steeped in history and blessed with abundant natural beauty, Batumi has built a reputation as a safe, affordable destination, helping it find a niche among travelers looking beyond traditional tourist spots. The city's varied charms include a cluster of classical 19th century edifices dotting its historic Old Town, including museums, monuments, cultural centers, and mosques and cathedrals. Batumi is equally known for its stunning beaches, parks and squares, and the surge in tourism over the last decade has seen a number of modern buildings, including five-star hotels and resorts from international chains, take their place alongside the historical town that offers a window into Batumi's rich past. Adel A. Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said "we are glad to expand our connectivity in Georgia. Batumi is a growing tourism destination and is popular during the summer months. Air Arabia's new flights to Batumi will allow people and businesses across the Arabian region to discover this beautiful city while positively impacting tourism and economic growth." Air Arabia already operates daily to Tbilsi, the capital and largest city of Georgia, which is rapidly emerging from the margins of Europe's tourism landscape to become its fastest rising star, with a 2014 report by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) showing Georgia to have recorded the largest increase in international visitor numbers of any European country. Air Arabia currently operates flights to over 120 destinations in 33 countries across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Asia, and Europe.
