A new initiative aimed at encouraging airline passengers to take up reading has been launched by Knowledge Without Borders in collaboration with Air Arabia. The On-board Library initiative was launched at Sharjah Children's Reading Festival 2015 taking place at Sharjah Expo Centre until May 2.

Rashid Al Kous, General Manager of Knowledge Without Borders, said, "Books are the best travel companion for all age groups and cultures. The initiative will further enhance Sharjah's position as a capital of culture and tourism. It is in-line with the vision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, who has always encouraged every effort to spread culture to the wider community."

The On-board Library will comprise of a cart, similar to the catering cart, on the plane. Each cart will carry around 40 books of a maximum of 200 pages each, so passengers can have enough time to finish the book in one trip. The initiative will be launched on May 1 on selected trips, such as those going to and from Cairo, Amman, Beirut and Khartoum.

"Air Arabia is honoured to support the Knowledge without Borders initiative, which is helping to reinforce the emirate's position as cultural hub within the Arab world," said Adel A. Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia. "Air Arabia has built an outstanding on-board offering, and this partnership adds an additional layer that passengers on selected flights are now able to enjoy with access to the industry's first on-board book library."

Books will cover various topics including health, literature, the economy, the environment, heritage, and others. The list will also include a selection of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah's publications. An index of titles will be offered to passengers to select the books and request them from the cabin crew.