UAE's jet fuel demand gets a lift with start-up of two low-cost carriers from Abu Dhabi

Dubai — The UAE's jet fuel sector is set to get a lift from the start-up of two low cost carriers from Abu Dhabi International Airport, the hub of the country's second-largest airline Etihad Airways, as coronavirus-related travel restrictions are eased.

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, a joint venture between Etihad and the UAE's low cost carrier Air Arabia, will start operations on July 14 with flights to Egypt, Air Arabia said in a statement on July 6.

Hungary's Wizz Air launched its first flight to Abu Dhabi International Airport on July 1, and plans to expand the low-cost carrier's routes to and from the UAE capital.

Dubai, the hub for Emirates, plans to start welcoming tourists on July 7 for the first time since most passenger flights were suspended in late March, as the second-largest UAE emirate increases flights serving a number of major cities.

Emirates will be flying to 52 destinations in July and will also begin flying the A380 aircraft on flights to London Heathrow and Paris starting July 15.

Jet fuel demand in the UAE accounted for more than 30% of consumption in the Middle East region and more than 2.5% of the global jet fuel demand in 2019, according to S&P Global Platts Analytics. The demand does not include refueling aboard of UAE's international flights.