KUWAIT, 31 October 2005 — Jazeera Airways, Kuwait’s new budget airline with a multimillion-dollar investment, launched its first commercial flight to Dubai yesterday. The launch also underlines its determination to challenge the Middle East’s aviation industry.
Jazeera Airways is a Kuwait pubic shareholding company established in 2004 with a capital of 10 million Kuwaiti dinars raised through an initial public offering, making it the only privately owned airline in the Middle East.
Based on a low fare business model that maximizes across the board efficiency in operations, the new carrier enables travelers to fly without a ticket and book through the web and SMS, giving them more independence, spontaneity, and fares that are up to 50 percent less than market fares.
“The concept of our airline is based on a unique business model that maximizes efficiency and allows us to offer low fares, as well as the most advanced booking and checking-in system in the region,” Jazeera Airways’ Chairman and CEO Marwan M. Boodai told Arab News.
Jazeera literally means an island or peninsula in Arabia. It is also commonly used to refer to the Gulf area. “We chose the name Jazeera for its unmistaken identity to the Arabian Peninsula, with its history, culture, and passion for life. That’s what characterizes people of the region,” said Boodai, who heads the airline’s board of directors.
The board includes Jassim Boodai as vice chairman, Faisal Al Majed, Yacoub Al Sharhan, Yousif Al Jalahma, Saleh Al Huwaidy, and Fadhel Al Khateeb. Marwan Boodai also heads the airline’s executive team, which includes Suhail Homsi, senior director support and development, and Chief Operating Officer Peter V. Delany, and five vice presidents — Iain May (finance), Captain Adel Al Barjas (operations), who also commanded the carrier’s maiden flight from Toulouse to Kuwait on Tuesday, Abdullah Al Hudaid (engineering and maintenance), Bader Al Mershid (industry affairs), and Ali Fairooz (passenger services).
The new airline, which received its first aircraft — a brand new A320 from the Airbus assembly plant in Toulouse and landed at Kuwait’s international airport to an enthusiastic reception last week, is leading the way in investing heavily in advanced technologies and systems, some being used for the first time in the region.
“We’re also the first airline in the Middle East and the fifth in the world to implement SMS booking. Our pioneering spirit will empower travelers by granting greater control of their travel plans,” Boodai said. “Our business model allows us to achieve high efficiency and operational savings, which in turn will enable us to continually offer low fares, in combination with various other moves,” he said.
The new airline operates a booking mechanism that guarantees two fares for those who book early. “The later you book, the more you pay,” he said, adding that the carrier’s fares will be up to 50 percent less expensive than the market rate depending on when the flight booking is done.
The airline will fly to the most popular destinations in the region for both business and leisure. Aside from Dubai, it will fly to Beirut, Bahrain, Jordan, Egypt, the Indian subcontinent, and Saudi Arabia (Jeddah to begin with) once it receives three other A320 aircrafts on order. The carrier is scheduled to receive its second A320 aircraft next month (November), and two other aircraft of the same type in June, all brand new from Airbus.
“The close proximity of these regional destinations to Kuwait means that our flights will be of three hours or less. This will enable us to fly to and from these destinations on the same day,” Boodai said.
Operating one-type fleet, the Airbus A320, means the airline will be able to streamline operational costs because it is maintaining and servicing the same type of aircraft.
What is more, the A320 features the most modern fly-by-wire technology available on any single aisle aircraft, ensuring savings in every element of direct operating cost. It provides Jazeera Airways with the highest degree of economy for aircraft in the 100-220 seat category. The A320 also has the lowest fuel burn, emissions and noise footprints in its class.
Unlike traditional airlines, the new airline has eliminated the unnecessary added-on services that drive up the price of fares. It has not added the cost of a meal to the ticket price. Passengers can choose to buy food and refreshments on board.
Its heavy investment in leading technologies and systems is aimed to reduce its costs in the long-run and in turn will enable it to offer reduced fares as well as the most sophisticated booking and checking systems in the region. It will execute web booking through Navitaire, described as the most advanced web-booking software in the world.
“The Internet enables us to put the passenger in control of his travel arrangements. It allows us to offer paperless tickets and fully integrated operations and bookings that enable us to keep our fares low. We’ll educate and encourage travelers to book through the Internet.”
“You book, you pay, you get your itinerary. There’s no need to waste time and energy to pick up a paper ticket. Paperless office and fully integrated electronic operations reduce operational cost, which enables us to continue to offer significantly reduced airfares,” Boodai said.
The new carrier will have yet another ‘first’ to its credit in the region — the facility of telebooking by dialing 177 in Kuwait that lets travelers book and pay while on their way to the airport, “giving travelers independence and spontaneity.”
