A CITY said to be an alternative holiday destination to Dubai is getting its only flight route from the UK.
Air Arabia will launch the new flights from London Gatwick to Sharjah in the UAE next month.
The route, starting from July 4, will operate twice a day, with flights from £205 each way.
It will be the first time the airline operates from the UK, and the only direct route to the UAE city.
Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer, London Gatwick, previously 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.”
Sharjah is the third biggest city in the United Arab Emirates behind Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
It is often touted as a more family-friendly destination and said to be the cultural capital of the UAE.
Popular attractions includes the UNESCO Cultural Capital of the Arab World and the Al Montazah Parks amusement park
However, it does follow stricter rules than Dubai – such as alcohol being banned a cross the entire city.
But holidays to the UAE are back on the cards after the UK Foreign Office lifted the travel ban.
The ban on holidays to the UAE came after a number of attacks across Dubai due to the Iran War, which included to Dubai Airport.
Here are some other new routes launching from London Gatwick this year.