Kuwait Airways

Kuwait Airways (KU: IATA, KAC: ICAO) is the official national carrier of the State of Kuwait. Established in 1953 as a private company, the airline was initially 50 per cent owned by the Kuwaiti government. In 1962, the government assumed 100 per cent ownership, making it the longest serving, official state carrier operating from the Arabian Gulf Region. In 2016, Kuwait Airways announced a five-year transformation strategy with a mandate of reasserting the official national carrier of Kuwait’s proud legacy and status within the regional aviation market, while also reclaiming the position as the “preferred airline linking Kuwait to the world”. A member of the Arab Air Carriers Organization and employing over 4,800 people, Kuwait Airways’ head office is in the heart of Kuwait City, close to Kuwait International Airport (KWI). The airline currently provides regular scheduled services to 36 international destinations in the Far East, Middle East, Europe and North America. In 2017, the airline is expected to cross the milestone of serving over four million passengers, per year. Kuwait Airways’ fleet of 37 aircraft currently consists of 10 x B777-300ER, 7 x A320-200CEO (completed delivery Q2 2015), 5 x A330s (completed delivery Q4 2015), 15 x A320NEO. Kuwait Airways fleet also is expected to receive 8 x A330 NEO (All confirmed) and expected 5 x A350’s. On 9th December 2016, Kuwait Airways received the first of 10 Boeing 777-300ER and on 1st January 2017 received the second aircraft. The expected delivery of the 10th and final aircraft, from this order, is in Q3 2017. Further additions to the fleet will include 15 A320neo and 10 A350 (arriving from 2019). Once the delivery of these new aircraft is concluded (2021), Kuwait Airways will boast the youngest commercial airline fleet in the world.