London Gatwick Boosts Its Middle East Offerings by Adding Direct Flights to Sharjah via Air Arabia, Bringing More Capacity and Travel Choices for Passengers

Published on November 24, 2025

London Gatwick Boosts Its Middle East Offerings with Direct Flights to Sharjah via Air Arabia

In a significant move to enhance its connectivity to the Middle East, London Gatwick Airport is expanding its route network by introducing direct flights to Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, in partnership with Air Arabia. This new addition marks an exciting opportunity for travelers, offering greater capacity and more diverse options for reaching this key regional hub. The launch of these direct flights is expected to cater to the growing demand for seamless travel between the UK and the UAE, while also providing a boost to both leisure and business travel. With Air Arabia’s reputation for reliable and affordable service, passengers will enjoy enhanced travel choices, further solidifying Gatwick’s position as a vital gateway between Europe and the Middle East.

London Gatwick is expanding its connectivity to the Middle East with the introduction of twice-daily flights to Sharjah, operated by Air Arabia. This marks the only direct link between the United Kingdom and the UAE city of Sharjah.

Starting from 29 March 2026, the new service will be operated on Airbus A321LR aircraft, raising the total number of weekly Middle East-bound flights from Gatwick to 80.

With growing demand for travel to the region, Gatwick has seen a 22.7% surge in passenger numbers this summer*. Several airlines have responded by increasing their capacity to the Middle East. Wizz Air has launched new XLR flights to Medina and Jeddah, Qatar Airways is flying larger 787-9s to Doha, Saudia has ramped up frequency on its Neom Bay route, and Gulf Air has seen impressive numbers in its first summer season at Gatwick, serving Bahrain.

Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer, London Gatwick said: “Demand for flights to destinations across the Middle East has really taken off this year and we have been delighted to offer passengers across London and the South East an increasingly fantastic range of routes and choice of carriers.

“It is an exciting time for another operator to join London Gatwick following the recent government approval for routine use of our Northern Runway and we look forward to welcoming Air Arabia in March, serving the historic city of Sharjah and the wider Middle Eastern region.”

Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia said: “The launch of our new service to London Gatwick marks a significant milestone in Air Arabia’s ongoing growth journey. This expansion reflects our continued commitment to connecting our key markets with greater reach and convenience while delivering the value-driven travel experience Air Arabia is known for.

“The introduction of London Gatwick not only enhances connectivity from our Sharjah hub but reflects our commitment to offering customers, whether travelling for business or leisure, a greater choice of affordable and reliable air travel options. We look forward to welcoming travellers onboard and providing them with direct access between the UAE and the United Kingdom.”

London Gatwick has announced an exciting new chapter in its expansion plans, with Jet2, one of the UK’s leading airlines, set to begin operations from the airport in March 2026. This collaboration will significantly enhance the airport’s connectivity, offering 29 new routes across both domestic and international destinations. Jet2’s entry is expected to strengthen Gatwick’s position as a key hub for travelers seeking affordable, high-quality travel options. The addition of these routes is a welcome development, especially as the airport continues to grow its operations post-pandemic.

In another major boost to Gatwick’s global connectivity, Condor, the renowned German airline, has secured valuable landing slots at the airport. Starting in April 2026, Condor will operate three daily flights to Frankfurt, further enhancing the strong ties between the UK and Germany. This addition comes at a time when demand for international travel is on the rise, and the new service will offer passengers more flexibility and choices for travel between these two significant European cities.

Additionally, Gatwick is diversifying its network with the launch of a new route to Cornwall Airport Newquay, operated by Skybus. This new service is expected to meet the growing demand for regional travel, providing an essential connection between Gatwick and Cornwall. The service marks an important step in improving domestic travel options, particularly for those looking to explore the picturesque southwest of England. With this new addition, Skybus is catering to both leisure and business travelers alike.

London Gatwick Airport is expanding its Middle East offerings with new direct flights to Sharjah, UAE, through Air Arabia. This move provides more travel options and increased capacity for passengers, catering to rising demand between the UK and the UAE. The partnership enhances Gatwick’s role as a key hub for both leisure and business travelers.

These new developments at Gatwick Airport demonstrate the ongoing commitment to increasing connectivity and enhancing the overall passenger experience. As both international and regional routes expand, the airport is poised to become an even more vital travel hub, offering passengers a broader selection of destinations, increased convenience, and more competitive options for travel. These changes also highlight the airport’s continued focus on catering to the evolving needs of travelers in the post-pandemic landscape.