Kuwait Airways, Airbus.. 36 years of fruitful air transport cooperation

By Abdulaziz Al-Mejren HAMBURG, Germany, Aug 26 (KUNA) -- National Carrier Kuwait Airways has been linked to air transport cooperation relationship with European multinational aerospace corporation Airbus since 1983, when it added its first Airbus A310 aircraft to its fleet.
Their cooperation has seen significant progress and development over the years not only in aircraft purchase, but also in maintenance procedures and training courses provided to Kuwait Airways' staff.
Airbus is considered to be one of Kuwait Airways fleet's main suppliers of various types of aircrafts as it holds an elite status among best plane suppliers in the world.
The Kuwaiti national carrier enjoys an eminent place among international air transport companies as its persistent cooperation with the European aerospace corporation proves the success of their relationship.
The two companies began their cooperation in September 1983, when the Kuwaiti national carrier needed to update its fleet in order to expand its route network amid increasing demand for air traveling at that time.
It has replaced a number of its old planes with a new generation of two-engine aircrafts, known for their lower noise and fuel consumption.
Such a significant step led the Kuwaiti national carrier, also known for its "Blue Bird" tag, to be at the forefront of regional and international air transport companies, and enabled it to expand its route network even further.
A total of six Airbus A310-200s were ordered to replace the Boeing 707s on routes to Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, with deliveries starting in 1983. Five more A310 aircraft were added to the order late that year and early 1984.
During the Iraqi invasion of the country in 1990, Kuwait Airways suffered devastating damages and massive looting of its aircrafts, replacement parts, plane engines, equipment, modern air devices, and galley.
Following Kuwait's liberation in 1991, the government rebuilt the national carrier company and made a key plan to expand its operations and fleets around the world, purchasing 18 new aircrafts as a result, 15 of which Airbus type, in 1992 to boost its operating profits and increase incomes.
At that time, Kuwait Airways was the first Arab air transport company to buy the full collection of modern Airbus planes with state of the art technology for a total of USD 984 million, receiving them all in November 1992.
In December 2013, Kuwait Airways signed a contract with Airbus to purchase 25 types of A350 and A320neo, and to rent 12 planes of A330 and A320 pending delivery of the new aircraft.
The two sides amended the contract to include 28 aircraft which Kuwait Airways would be receiving up until 2026, by which Kuwait Airways would have a total of 38 planes - five A350-900, eight A300-800neo, 15 A32neo and 10 Boeing 777-300 ER.
In October 2018, Kuwait Airways amended a pre-existing commitment with Airbus for 10 A350-900s by reducing it to five of these aircraft, and ordered eight Airbus A330-800neos.
Currently, Kuwait Airways' fleet has 25 aircrafts, 15 of which are Airbus type. The national carrier's route network includes 47 destination around the world.
A delegation from Kuwait Airways is due to arrive in the German city of Hamburg today to receive the airliner's first Airbus A320neo on August 29, part of a 28-aircraft contract with the European manufacturer.
The delegation, headed by Kuwait Airways board chairman Yusuf Al-Jassem, will visit Airbus plant to get acquainted with latest aircraft technologies, as well as holding meetings with Airbus executives.
The delegation will officially receive the Airbus A320neo on Thursday and then fly back to Kuwait on Friday.
Established in 1969, Airbus is one of the major aircraft manufacturing and selling corporations in the world. It launched the world's first twin-engine passenger jet, the A300, in that same year.
Based in France, Airbus fully owns subsidiaries in the United States, China, Japan, India, and the Middle East region. It also operates training centers in various world countries and has over 150 service offices around the world.
Kuwait Airways was established in 1953 as a private company under the name of "Kuwait National Airlines Limited".
The government of Kuwait acquired 100 percent ownership in 1962 and has about 40 destinations worldwide. (end) aam.ma