Kuwait Aviation Thread

[Danny21]

Kuwait's new premium airline announces name and brand identity ready for launch in 2009.

Chairman Abdulsalam Al Bahar and Chief Executive George Cooper revealed the name and the distinctive new corporate identity and airline colours following the General Assembly of the company's holding company - Kuwait National Airways.

Wataniya Airways is the first short-haul premium airline to be launched anywhere in the world in the past several years and has been created to meet the specific needs of the Kuwaiti traveler - among the most travelled and discerning passengers in the world.

Services will commence from January 2009 and will offer a point to point service from Kuwait to destinations south and west of the country in the Gulf and Middle East - providing flight schedules and destinations that focus on Kuwaiti needs.

Unveiling the name and visual identity Wataniya Airways Chairman Abdulsalam Al Bahar said: "This is a very proud day for us and we are confident that Wataniya Airways will quickly become a new symbol of Kuwait and the Kuwaiti people. We selected the name Wataniya because we intend to be a truly national airline for Kuwaiti travelers.

"Our commitment to Kuwait is also shown in the design and the colours we have chosen. On the tailfin of our aircraft we will feature that most potent and internationally known symbol of our country - the Kuwait Towers.

"The research we have undertaken has shown that Kuwaitis prefer to fly when they can with an airline from their country and we believe having such a powerful image on our planes will reinforce that pride every time a Kuwaiti flies with Wataniya Airways.

"In addition to its richness and Royal connotations, the colour purple we have chosen is also a provocative international reflection of the passion, commitment to evolution and leadership position we intend to secure in the short-haul premium airline sector in the region."

Wataniya Airways will start operations with a fleet of two Airbus A320 aircraft offering unparalleled room and comfort for all passengers with the lowest seat density of an A320 of any scheduled airline in the world. There will be a total of only 122 seats on the aircraft that will offer legroom and space that cannot be found on any comparable scheduled aircraft anywhere in the world.

Chief Executive George Cooper added: "This announcement today is a major step towards ensuring Wataniya Airways becomes a unique premium airline that will deliver a truly outstanding service to our customers both in the air and on the ground.

"We have a world-class team of aviation professionals who are now in place to deliver a new kind of flying experience to Kuwait and the region. It takes time to develop a quality product, but we now have the right people, the right product and the right business model for success.

"The announcement of our name and brand identity today is just the start of the Wataniya Airways story. In the weeks and months ahead before we take to the air in January 2009, we will be announcing a series of innovations and developments that will make our airline not only unique in this region - but in many respects unique across the world."

One of Europe's leading brand consultancies, the Peter Schmidt Group, has been engaged for the development of the Wataniya Airways brand and corporate image. The company has wide ranging experience in the aviation industry and has worked in the past for Lufthansa, Germanwings and Air Madagascar.

"We are delighted with the quality of the work that the Peter Schmidt Group has undertaken to bring Wataniya Airways to life and bring a clear, distinctive and unique appearance to our brand. This new creative and unique visual identity will clearly help us to stand out and be clearly recognized across the region," added George Cooper.

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/press...s/detail/19707

for more info.. check out the arline webpage : www.wataniyaairways.com

[CrazY]

a purple kuwait towers on the tailfin !!! lol

[CrazY]

some photos


Chief Executive Officer George Cooper (L) and Company Chairman Abdulsalam Al-Bahar shake hands after unveiling the new premium airline Wataniya Airways in Kuwait May 26, 2008. The airline is expected to commence operations starting January 2009, with Kuwait being its main hub. The airline will service destinations south and west of the country.



Wataniya Airways Chairman Abdulsalam Al-Bahar (2nd R) and Chief Executive Officer George Cooper (3rd L) join hands with board members during a cake cutting ceremony after unveiling the new premium airline Wataniya Airways in Kuwait May 26, 2008.


does anyone have some better shots or photos of the planes and logo ?

[Skoulikimou]

Originally Posted by CrazY

does anyone have some better shots or photos of the planes and logo ?

[loody]

علمت »الوطن« من مصدر موثوق ان شركة مصر للطيران للخطوط الداخلية والاقليمية اكسبريس سوف تبدأ في تسيير رحلات مباشرة منتظمة من الكويت الى مرسى علم جنوب غرب مصر بمعدل رحلتين اسبوعيا يومي الخميس والسبت اعتبارا من اول يوليو المقبل، على ان يكون خط سير الرحلة من الكويت الى مرسى علم مباشرة ثم الى القاهرة والعودة من مرسى علم الى الكويت على طائرات الشركة من طراز امبراير البرازيلية التي تتسع لحوالي 75 راكبا على الدرجتين الاقتصادية ودرجة رجال الاعمال.
وافاد المصدر ان منتجع بورت غالب السياحي التابع لمجموعة الخرافي سوف يبدأ في تسويق فنادق المنتجع والشقق الفندقية وتقديم برامج للعطلات من خلال وكالات السياحة والسفر في السوق المحلي، او عن طريق مدراء التسويق والمبيعات للمنتجع، مشيرا الى انه يتوقع نسبة اشغال مرتفعة مع بداية تشغيل الرحلات المباشرة الى مطار مرسى علم.
ويعتبر منتج بورت غالب من اهم استثمارات مجموعة الخرافي في مصر وهو من المنتجعات العالمية من الدرجة الاولى على ساحل البحر الاحمر ويحتوي على فندق كورال بيتش وقصر يروم، وصحاري صن التابعين لشركة صن انترناشيونال، والمرافق الترفيهية حيث يتميز المنتجع بمزايا سياحية وترفيهية تجعله متفردا عن باقي المنتجعات في المنطقة ويمثل مجتمعا حيا ومتكاملا من الانشطة من مرافق رياضية وبحرية اضافة الى المراسي البحرية المتميزة التي تضاهي ارقى المراسي البحرية في العالم.

المصدر: الوطن

[world1]

[QUOTE=CrazY;21112196]some photos

The airline will service destinations south and west of the country.[/SIZE]


Is this True....???? south and west of the COUNTRY...?????

[ChaoticTranquility]

...what's so outrageous about that statement?

what did you expect? with an initial fleet size of 2 aircrafts, they'll be targetting Middle Eastern destinations before anywhere else. [Beirut, Cairo, Dubai, etc.]

ChaoticTranquility

[world1]

Originally Posted by ChaoticTranquility

...what's so outrageous about that statement?

what did you expect? with an initial fleet size of 2 aircrafts, they'll be targetting Middle Eastern destinations before anywhere else. [Beirut, Cairo, Dubai, etc.]

ChaoticTranquility

huh????? country dude......how can they fly within country itself???

[Danny21]

.. there's nothing wrong with that statement world1...
It says the airline will serve destinations south and west of the country...and not destinations in the south and west of the country.. so it doesnt mean within the country... hope ive cleared ur doubt....

[world1]

Originally Posted by Danny21

.. there's nothing wrong with that statement world1...
It says the airline will serve destinations south and west of the country...and not destinations in the south and west of the country.. so it doesnt mean within the country... hope ive cleared ur doubt....

OK OK...I MISUNDERSTOOD....thks

[Danny21]

The Ministry of Communications is keen on developing the aviation sector and supporting Kuwait’s open skies policy, Communications Minister Abdulrahman Al-Ghunaim said Saturday.
Al-Ghunaim made the statement in a meeting with Chairman of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Fawaz Al-Faraj, Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) Chairman Hammed Al-Falah and other DGCA officials. The officials presented a plan to develop the aviation sector as well as the privatization of KAC to the minister.
They also discussed ways to protect the rights of KAC workers and allow the entry of Arab and foreign airlines to Kuwait. The meeting lasted for four hours followed by an inspection of airport terminals in which Al-Ghunaim assessed the airport’s level of preparedness for the summer rush. Al-Ghunaim and the aviation officials also discussed ways to improve services at the airport in addition to the upgrade and regular maintenance of KAC aircraft. He confirmed the privatization of KAC will be completed in less than ten months.

On the other hand, Al-Faraj said the meeting with the minister yielded positive results as they discussed completed and ongoing development projects at the airport and navigation system. He revealed one of the most important projects tackled in the meeting is the expansion of the airport, particularly the new passenger terminal.
He also unveiled plans to establish another terminal and aircraft parking areas.
Al-Faraj added the officials also discussed the establishment of a new cargo area, which includes warehouses and will be implemented by the private sector.
“We also discussed various development projects in the airport, such as upgrading the navigation and air control systems which will be completed in less than five years,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, Al-Falah disclosed the officials discussed the procedures for the privatization of KAC as well as the necessary preparations for ratifying a law in this regard.

http://www.arabtimesonline.com/clien...18060&ccid=KAC

[newq8]

19 Jun 2008
New Premium Airline Wataniya Airways Strengthens Its Senior Management Team


CCO Paul Sies and CIO Chandrasekhar Nene bring additional international experience to the airline

Wataniya Airways, Kuwait’s new premium airline, has announced the appointment of two new executive staff, further strengthening the company’s growing management team. Paul Sies was appointed as Chief Commercial Officer and Chandrasekhar Nene has joined as Chief Information Officer, adding more international expertise and experience to the new airline.

Paul Sies brings with him nearly two decades of experience in the airline and leisure industry to his new commercial role at Wataniya Airways. He moves to Kuwait from Belgium where he was Chief Commercial Officer for Center Parcs Europe.

Previously Paul, a Dutch national, had worked in a number of senior commercial management roles in the airline industry in Europe since 1991, including 5 years as Commercial Director for the Virgin Group from 2000 to 2005. At Virgin Express in Brussels, Paul Sies was instrumental in restructuring the airline and helping the airline to its most successful year ever in 2005.

Chandrasekhar Nene brings 30 years of expertise in information technology and systems to his role at Wataniya Airways. His aviation experience includes senior roles at Jet Airways, Kenya Airway, Sahara Air and most recently Kingfisher Airlines in India before moving to Kuwait. Chandrashekhar has been instrumental in setting up efficient and robust IT solutions for these airlines, and has pioneered innovative solutions, such as the “Roving Agent” for mobile check In systems, Web Check In etc.,

Commenting on the appointments, Wataniya Airways Chief Executive Officer, George Cooper said: “I am delighted that we have been able to secure Paul and Chandrasekhar as we continue to build and develop our team ahead of launching our first commercial flights early in 2009.

“It shows the quality and potential of our new premium airline that we are able to attract senior management of such calibre. Their commercial acumen and proven success record will play a vital role as we gear up to put in place the systems and processes we require to launch Wataniya Airways and make it the airline of choice for the sophisticated Kuwati traveler.”

Wataniya Airways will start operations with a fleet of two Airbus A320 aircraft offering unparalleled room and comfort for all passengers with the lowest seat density of an A320 of any scheduled airline in the world.

Services will commence from January 2009 and will offer a point to point service from Kuwait to destinations south and west of the country in the Gulf and Middle East – providing flight schedules and destinations that focus on Kuwaiti needs.

18 Jun 2008
Draft Airline Schedule


KW 1000
Kuwait Int Airport
7:30
Dubai Int Airport
10:05
Airbus A320

KW 1001
Dubai Int Airport
10:55
Kuwait Int Airport
11:40
Airbus A320

KW 1006
Kuwait Int Airport
18:00
Dubai Int Airport
20:35
Airbus A320

KW 1007
Dubai Int Airport
21.25
Kuwait Int Airport
22.10
Airbus A320

* Subject to regulatory approval
* These flights are not yet for sale. More information will follow soon.




http://www.wataniyaairways.com/content.aspx?pageid=24

[Halawala]

Double daily to Dubai on the first day?

Currently, KU, EK, SriLankan Airlines, Thai, Air Arabia all serve the Dubai/Shajah-Kuwait sector. Isn't this a bit of an overkill?

[Danny21]

Wataniya Airways, Kuwait’s new premium airline, has passed a significant milestone in its development with the awarding of its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) from the Directorate General of Aviation (DGCA) in Kuwait.
The AOC is a statutory requirement for any international airline from its National Aviation Authority that permits the airline to undertake commercial flying operations.

The AOC was officially presented in an official ceremony attended by DGCA President Fawaz Al, Farah and Wataniya Airways Chairman Abdulsalam Al Bahar.and Chief Executive George Cooper.

Commenting on the awarding of the Certificate, Mr. Al Bahar said: “This is a highly important development for Wataniya Airways as we continue our progress and planning toward commencing our first flights and commercial operations in 2009.”

Wataniya Airways intends to be the airline of choice for the sophisticated Kuwaiti traveler offering a range of unique services both in the air and on the ground from early 2009.

DGCA President Fawaz Al Farah added: “We are confident that Wataniya Airways, the third airline to be headquartered in Kuwait, will offer the highest international standards of safety and quality across all of its operations when it commences operational services.

Wataniya Airways Chief Executive George Cooper said: “We are very grateful to the DGCA for the award of this vital certificate and the vote of confidence they have given us in the structure and systems we are putting in place to launch Kuwait’s first premium airline next year.”

The Air Operators Certificate is the official document issued to an airline by its national safety regulator, it attests to the airline’s ability to conduct a safe operation and clearly defines who is in charge of its safety oversight. Without the AOC an airline is not allowed to operate or conduct commercial flights

Wataniya Airways will start operations with a fleet of two Airbus A320 aircraft offering unparalleled room and comfort for all passengers with the lowest seat density of an A320 of any scheduled airline in the world.

Services will commence from January 2009 and will offer a point to point service from Kuwait to destinations south and west of the country in the Gulf and Middle East – providing flight schedules and destinations that focus on Kuwaiti needs.


About Wataniya Airways

Wataniya Airways is a new premium airline that will commence operations in 2009 offering a unique service with point to point connections from Kuwait to destinations across the Middle East and geared to the specific demands and needs of Kuwaiti nationals. It will fly modern A320 aircraft with 122 seats providing the most comfort, space and legroom of any scheduled airline using this aircraft in the world.

[CrazY]

Kuwait Airways (KAC), has obtained 2008 from the Superior Court in Montreal orders seizing the interests of Iraqi Airways (IAC) and the State of Iraq in the new Bombardier aircraft recently commissioned in a $5bn deal.


A further order was obtained seizing two properties in Quebec belonging to the State of Iraq.

The orders were made in support of earlier judgments handed down by the English High Court.

The dispute between KAC and IAC, which commenced in 1990 following the invasion of Kuwait, has been the longest running commercial case in the history of the English Courts, mainly due to a series of findings of perjury against Iraqi Airways which led to an overthrowing of twelve years of previous decisions.

Judgments have been given against IAC on the correct facts, totalling some $1.2bn.

IAC / the Iraqi Government recently announced orders for some $5bn of aircraft from Boeing and Bombardier and deliveries are expected to commence next month.

Recent statements from Baghdad have suggested that the orders of aircraft to be flown by IAC were made by the Iraqi State to avoid potential liability to KAC.

Regardless of these statements, the Superior Court in Montreal issued its Orders yesterday August 27th 2008.

Earlier, in a judgment given in the English High Court 16th July 2008 Mr Justice Steel ordered that the State of Iraq pay the costs of KAC (totalling in excess of $83.5m) incurred due to the fraudulent defence of Iraqi Airways of the KAC claim. The conduct of the action had been previously described by a Judge as 'perversion of justice on a remarkable and almost unprecedented scale'.

Christopher Gooding of the London Law Firm of Howard Kennedy has represented Kuwait Airways since the 3rd August 1990, the day after the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq.


Mr Gooding stated:

" Following the judgment against Iraq I said that enforcement action could be expected shortly. This first move in a sequence of planned enforcement proceedings, taken with the consent of the Kuwaiti Government, has been forced on KAC by the total lack of movement towards any meaningful negotiations by Iraq and IAC. I hope that this action will act as a wake-up call. As I have said before, it is not the intention of KAC to take aggressive action for its own sake, but in the absence of any meaningful dialogue and in the light of KAC's duty to protect public funds, IAC and Iraq can expect further similar action to be taken without further warning. "

AMEinfo

[Halawala]

Crazy, ya3nee Kuwait Airways can now seize Iraqi Airlines' planes just like that?

[CrazY]

i think so, the case has been going on after the iraqi invasion til now! i guess after iraqi airways bought new airplanes and making new deals with boeing, it appears that they have money to spend, therefore iraqi don't the excuse of sanctions anymore.

[Danny21]

The proposed privatisation of Kuwait’s state-run airline is progressing on schedule with the process to be concluded as early as April or June, provided everything continues to run smoothly, according to Chairman of Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC), Hamad A. Latif Al-Falah.

Speaking in Colombo, the top official noted that privatisation would allow the currently loss-making Kuwait Airways to overcome government bureaucracy, adding that “aviation needs quick decisions.”
Elaborating, Mr. Al-Falah indicated that the airline currently experiences problems across all quarters including updating its image and even with changing its seats.

Mr. Al-Falah’s comments were made at a press conference marking the 40th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s South Asian Travels being appointed as the General Sales Agency (GSA) of Kuwait Airways, which he and a delegation of senior officials of the airline attended last week.

-The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)

[CrazY]

this is really sad!

[Danny21]

yeah... really disappointing..... a pathetic situation.... bureaucracy n corruption are ruining everything here in kuwait.. even whn it comes to changing the seat color on d national carrier!!!.... let's hope the privatization would turn the fortunes around for kwt airways..n maybe it could rival the other mieast carriers as it did in itz golden ages...but it has much ground to cover, as emirates, qatar airways n eithad are really pushing the levels of excellence n services on their aircrafts....
hmmm...... can't wait for that day.. but i can't help but be a bit pessimistic about it.... hopefully wataniya airways does a better job eventhough its clientele would be different..