The Middle East is home to some of the world's most famous full-service carriers — Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad. But the region also has a growing low-cost carrier sector that's worth knowing about, both for travel within the region and for connecting to it cheaply.
The Major Low-Cost Carriers
flydubai
Launched in 2008 as Dubai's budget airline, flydubai has grown into a substantial operation covering over 90 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe.
Key facts:
- Hub: Dubai International (Terminal 2)
- Connects to most GCC cities, as well as secondary European destinations
- Business class available on many routes at competitive prices
- Can be connected with Emirates for seamless long-haul + short-haul combinations
flydubai's fares within the region are often significantly cheaper than full-service alternatives, and it's a key connector for travel around the GCC.
Air Arabia
Air Arabia is the Middle East's first low-cost carrier, launched in 2003 and based in Sharjah (UAE). It operates across the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and Europe.
Key facts:
- Hubs: Sharjah, Casablanca (Air Arabia Maroc), Alexandria (Air Arabia Egypt)
- Strong coverage of North African and South Asian routes
- Consistently low fares within its network
- Sharjah Airport is 20–30 minutes from central Dubai via taxi
For travellers who don't need the Emirates terminal and are going somewhere Air Arabia serves, Sharjah can be a genuinely cheap departure point.
Jazeera Airways
Kuwait-based Jazeera Airways operates a focused regional network covering Gulf cities, South Asia, and some European destinations. It's worth checking for travel originating in Kuwait.
Nasair / flynas
Saudi Arabia's main low-cost carrier operates domestically within Saudi Arabia (a large country where internal flights are common) and on regional international routes. With Saudi Arabia's tourism sector opening significantly under Vision 2030, flynas coverage and route options are expanding.
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi
A joint venture between Wizz Air (Hungary's budget carrier) and partners in the UAE, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi operates from Abu Dhabi International Airport on a growing network that includes European destinations. Fares are genuinely competitive, and Abu Dhabi Airport is developing rapidly.
Worth checking for flights between the UAE and Eastern European destinations in particular.
How to Use Middle Eastern Budget Carriers
For Regional Travel
If you're already in the UAE and want to visit Jordan, Oman, Egypt, or other regional destinations, flydubai and Air Arabia offer fares that are often a fraction of what legacy carriers charge. Short regional hops can cost as little as £30–60 each way.
For Getting to the Region Cheaply
Many travellers from Europe focus only on Emirates, Qatar, and Etihad. But connecting through secondary Gulf airports (Sharjah via Air Arabia, or Abu Dhabi via Wizz Air Abu Dhabi or Etihad) can offer meaningfully cheaper access to the region.
For Connecting Onward
Air Arabia's Casablanca hub (Air Arabia Maroc) offers connections across North and West Africa. flynas connects to cities within Saudi Arabia that aren't well-served from Europe directly.
What to Expect
Budget carriers in the Middle East operate similarly to European ones: low base fares, charges for checked luggage, paid seat selection. Some differences:
- Prayer times: Flights may have brief announcements for prayer times
- Alcohol: Not served on regional budget carriers (unlike European low-cost carriers)
- Dress codes: Worth being aware of local norms at your destination
Booking Tips
- Check both the airline's website and comparison tools — GDS coverage for some regional carriers is incomplete
- Watch for Ramadan period pricing — the month before Ramadan can see elevated fares for travel to Muslim-majority destinations, while during Ramadan itself fares sometimes drop
- Sharjah vs Dubai: Sharjah Airport is genuinely convenient for Dubai; factor in the taxi cost but don't dismiss it
AirHuntr covers deals across Middle Eastern carriers including Emirates, Air Arabia, Etihad, and flydubai. Check our deals page for current promotions.
