Armenia's National Airline Will Be Named 'Fly Arna'

The Armenian National Interests Fund (ANIF) and Air Arabia, the largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, announced today that the new national airline operated by their joint venture will be named 'Fly Arna'. The name was selected by the board of directors of the joint venture from over 500 submissions received in a competition announced in July 2021, titled 'Name the Airline'. After comprehensive discussions of all proposals, 'Fly Arna' was chosen as the airline's name.

The word 'Arna' is derived from 'Armenian National Airlines', combining the first two letters of the word 'ARmenian' and the first letters of 'National' and 'Airline'. The competition aimed to allow citizens of Armenia to participate in naming the national airline, reflecting the commitment of ANIF and Air Arabia to foster as much engagement from stakeholders as possible. Over 800 participants suggested 500 names for the new airline through ANIF's social networks and email communications.

'I would like to thank everyone for their active participation in the competition. It is inspiring and I believe it reflects our shared vision and aspiration for the airline's success,' said ANIF CEO David Papazyan. 'Despite the significant challenges posed by the pandemic, we are confident that Fly Arna represents an opportunity to introduce a beneficial and competitive new offering to the market that will yield tangible benefits for our state and people.'

Air Arabia CEO Adel Al Ali remarked, 'The new name, in our belief, reflects the aspirations of the Armenian people and is the result of national involvement, emphasizing our joint venture's commitment to public interest.'

Fly Arna can mark the beginning of a new era for Armenian aviation, creating significant value for the economy and promoting related sectors such as tourism and hospitality. Fly Arna will operate as a budget passenger airline, with its base at Yerevan's Zvartnots International Airport. In the upcoming weeks, the company will apply for an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC). Details regarding the launch date and destinations will be announced soon.

ANIF and Air Arabia had announced the agreement for the establishment of Armenia's new national airline in July 2021.

About ANIF:
ANIF was established in 2019 with the mandate to attract foreign investments, promote exports, and co-finance large-scale projects in Armenia. The organization's activities focus on attracting foreign investments and managing a portfolio of strategically important assets in Armenia.

About Air Arabia:
Air Arabia is listed on the Dubai Financial Market and is a leading budget operator in the Middle East and North Africa. Established in October 2003, Air Arabia currently operates 58 new A320 and A321 aircraft, servicing around 170 routes from five hubs in the UAE, Morocco, and Egypt, providing comfortable, reliable, and affordable air travel.