Sharjah-based budget carrier Air Arabia has reported its strongest annual performance on record for FY 2025, with profit and revenue rising on higher passenger numbers and network expansion.

Announcing the results for the full year ended December 31, 2025, Air Arabia said its pre-tax net profit surged by 14% to  AED1.8 billion ($490 million) compared to AED1.6 billion in 2024, while its total turnover for the year soared to over AED7.8 billion ($2.12 billion), up 15% over the previous year.

During the year, Air Arabia continued to execute its growth strategy by expanding its network across its six operating hubs, adding 30 new routes. 

This disciplined expansion drove a 10% increase in operational capacity and a 16% rise in total passengers carried, reaching 21.8 million across the Group, said a statement from Sharjah's low-cost airline.

The airline carried 21.8 million passengers during the year, a 16% increase, as it added 30 new routes across its six operating hubs. Operational capacity rose 10%.

The average seat load factor - the percentage of available seats occupied - improved by 4 percentage points to 85%, reflecting sustained demand strength and the efficiency of the airline’s value-driven operating model.

Average seat load factor climbed four percentage points to 85%.

Impressed with the performance, Air Arabia's board has proposed a dividend of 30% of share capital, equivalent to 30 fils per share, subject to shareholder approval at the annual general meeting.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohamed Al Thani, Chairman of Air Arabia, said: "Air Arabia delivered its strongest performance ever in 2025, driven by disciplined execution of our growth strategy and the continued trust our customers place in our value-driven product offering. We delivered sustainable profitability while expanding our network, optimizing capacity, and enhancing operational efficiency. These results reflect the robustness of our business model and the commitment of our leadership team."

"Despite a challenging operating environment in 2025, marked by geopolitical tensions across the region as well as continued inflationary and supply chain pressures, we remained disciplined and focused on operational efficiency, business flexibility, and delivering exceptional value to our customers. This unwavering commitment enabled us to expand our customer base, strengthen our presence across key markets, and generate sustainable long-term value for our shareholders," he stated.

"At the same time, we advanced our strategic priorities through continued investment in fleet expansion and network growth, positioning Air Arabia for its next phase of sustained success," he added.

In the fourth quarter, net profit rose 15% to AED405 million, while turnover jumped 26% to AED2.12 billion. Passenger numbers in the quarter increased 22% to more than 5.7 million, with seat load factor reaching 87%..-TradeArabia News Service