UAE carriers have 330 aircraft

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} The UAE’s five national carriers operated 330 aircraft at the end of 2012 and Dubai-based Emirates maintained its position as the country’s largest airline, controlling195 passenger jets, according to local airline data. In 2012, the five companies received 53 new planes as part of previous orders within ongoing expansions prompted by a steady growth in airport activity in the second largest Arab economy, the figures showed. At the end of 2012, Emirates controlled more than half the total aircraft operated by the five carriers, with its fleet peaking at 195 Airbuses and Boeings operating more than 1,800 flights a week, showed the figures published by Emirat Alyoum daily. “Last year, Emirates received 33 new aircraft, maintaining its position as one of the world’s fastest growing airlines,” the Arabic language newspaper said. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways emerged as the second largest airline in the UAE, with a fleet of 72 aircraft, which handled a record high of 10.3 million passengers last year compared with around 8.4 million passengers in 2011. Etihad received seven new Airbus and Boeing aircraft in 2012, allowing it to push ahead with plans to expand its global flight network. The report showed Sharjah-based Air Arabia has 32 passenger planes, including six new Airbuses received last year as part of a deal signed in 2007 for the purchase of 44 aircraft. Six more jets are expected to be delivered this year. FlyDubai operates 28 aircraft, including seven new planes received in 2012, while RAK Airways of Ras Al khaimah operated three aircraft at the end of the year and is planning to boost its fleet within overall expansion plans.