By Fawaz Karami
KUWAIT, Feb 19 (KUNA) -- The national carrier Kuwait Airways Corporation hammered out a final agreement with plane-maker Airbus to purchase 25 planes and leases 12 others.
"This is an important moment in the history of Kuwait Airways as it signals the start of a new stage that is meant to take the national carrier back to its flourishing days," KAC Board Chairwoman Rasha Al-Roumi told KUNA on the occasion of singing of the contract.
The purchased aircraft are of two kinds, A350-900 and medium-haul A320neo, while the leased ones are of A330 and A320.
She pointed out the delivery of the purchased planes will start in 2019 while the leased ones will be received as of December 2014.
All the leased planes will be delivered before summer of 2015, she said, adding that they will replace some of the KAC fleet's aircraft.
The contract comes in implementation of an initial memorandum of understanding signed between the two sides last December.
Al-Roumi underlined that the contract is part of the Kuwaiti national airline's efforts to overhaul its fleet with a view to boosting operating profits and revenues in the future.
She added that the KAC is coming back to its course thanks to the unlimited support of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Prime Minister Sheik Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. (end) fnk.fs.ibi KUNA 192007 Feb 14NNNN