Wataniya Airways

Wataniya Airways
IATA ICAO Callsign
Q9 WAN WATANIYA
Founded 2005
Commenced operations January 2009
July 2017
Hubs Kuwait International Airport
Frequent-flyer program Wataniya Diwan
Fleet size 2
Destinations 4
Company slogan It's a Pleasure
Headquarters Kuwait International Airport
Al Farwaniyah Governorate, Kuwait
Key people Abdulsalam al-Bahar (Chairman)
George Cooper (CEO)
Website http://www.wataniyaairways.com/

Kuwait Wataniya Airways (K.S.C.) (Arabic: (شركة الخطوط الوطنية الكويتية (ش.م.ك‎‎), doing business as Wataniya Airways (Arabic: الخطوط الوطنية‎‎), is a publicly traded company on the Kuwait Stock Exchange. Wataniya Airways' hub is the exclusive Sheikh Saad Terminal in Kuwait while its corporate headquarters were on the property of Kuwait International Airport, Al Farwaniyah Governorate, Kuwait.[1] The airline was founded in 2006 and received an Air Operators Certificate in July 2008. It started services with an Airbus A320 in January 2009 from the Sheikh Saad General Aviation Terminal and provided flights from Kuwait to destinations across the Persian Gulf, wider Middle East and Europe. Wataniya Airways was the first and only commercial airline to operate its flights out of a private terminal in Kuwait. Wataniya Airways' A320 aircraft has a dual-cabin configuration composed of Business and Economy sections.[2]

History

Wataniya Airways was formed as part of the Kuwait Government’s liberalization of aviation services in 2005[3] and was founded by Kuwaiti corporations that include corporate giant Kipco which owns majority shares in the company. The airline launched a public offering of 350 million shares in January 2006, the equivalent of 70% of its capital of KWD50 million (USD 188 million), and listed its shares on the Kuwait Stock Exchange by the end of 2008.[4]

Wataniya Airways' visual identity was unveiled to the public in May 2008. The tail fin of Wataniya Airways' aircraft is purple, and features the internationally known symbol of Kuwait—the Kuwait Towers.[5]

Due to overcapacity on some flights, the airline decided in December 2010 to reduce operation, park three aircraft, and lay off some employees.[6]

On 16 March 2011, Wataniya Airways ceased all its operations because of financial difficulties, and began discussions with its shareholders to determine the future of the company.[7]

In August 2016, it was announced that the airline is considering resuming services. The decision to restart flights follows the company’s settlement of debt talks with Kuwait Airways’ Kuwait Aviation Services Company. The carrier’s legal claims with Kuwait’s Aviation Lease and Finance Company (ALAFCO) are still under review in Kuwaiti court. Initial 17 destinations will be to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Iran and Iraq. In the second year, destinations in Lebanon, Jordan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland and Spain will be available. Although a set resumption date has yet to be announced.[8]

Wataniya received its air operations permit on 19 June 2017[9]

In July 2017, it was announced that the airline would restart operates from Kuwait International Airport to 3 destinations, Baku, Tbilisi and Sarajevo. The airline also announced 10 other new destinations will be added after the airline has completely begun operations.[10]

Destinations

As of July 2017, Wataniya Airways plans to fly to 4 destinations in 4 countries.

Fleet

A Wataniya Airways Airbus A320-200 in former livery at Istanbul Airport in January 2011.

As of June 2017 the Wataniya Airways fleet consists of the following aircraft:[11]

Wataniya Airways fleet
Aircraft In Service Orders Passengers Notes
C Y Total
Airbus A320-200 2[12] — 12 120 132
Total 2 —

Milestones

References

  1. ↑ "Wataniya Airlines Confirms New Jeddah Route During Opening of its New Branch at the Discovery Mall." Wataniya Airways. Retrieved on 22 June 2010. "Wataniya Airways' headquarters at Kuwait International Airport,"
  2. ↑ Laessing, Ulf (2008-05-26). "Third Kuwaiti airline to take off in January". Thomson Reuters. India. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
  3. ↑ "About Wataniya Airways: our Story". Archived from the original on 2008-07-20. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
  4. ↑ "Kuwait National Airways Announces KAMCO Will Manage Its Listing on Kuwait Stock Exchange" (Press release). Wataniya Airways. 2008-06-23. Retrieved 2008-06-25.
  5. ↑ "Wataniya Airways Is Born" (Press release). Wataniya Airways. 2008-05-26. Retrieved 2008-05-26.
  6. ↑ "Wataniya Airways drastically cuts its network". Air Transport World. 1 December 2010. Archived from the original on 22 February 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
  7. ↑ Kuwait's Wataniya Airways ceases operations
  8. ↑ http://www.wingsjournal.com/kuwaits-wataniya-airways-resumes-flight-mid-2017
  9. ↑
  10. ↑ "Wataniya Airways launches 1st flight to Georgia". Kuwait News Agency. 4 July 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
  11. ↑ Wataniya eyes simmer relaunch
  12. ↑ http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/Wataniya%20Airways.htm
  13. ↑ "Wataniya Airways Staff Service Recognized for Excellence". Archived from the original on November 30, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2017.
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