DUBAI: Kuwait-based Wataniya Airways is to begin flying twice a day between Kuwait and Dubai starting Jan. 24.
Wataniya Airways CEO George Cooper said the announcement was a successful culmination of more than 12 months of complex and careful preparations. “I am delighted that we will be flying to Dubai from Jan. 24 onward as Dubai is a primary business and tourist hub in the Middle East. There has been a long and close relationship between Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates and it is therefore fitting that this should be the first destination for Wataniya Airways,” he said.
Paul Sies, the commercial director for the new airline, said the airline has appointed the leading aviation, hospitality and travel advisor, Planet Group, as its General Sales Agent (GSA) in the United Arab Emirates.
“The internationally recognized group with varied business interests has received international acclaim for its continuous drive to deliver quality services and is an ideal partner to deliver luxury air travel to Wataniya’s guests,” he added.
George Moussa, chairman of the Planet Group, said the launch of a premium airline is an exciting time for aviation business enthusiasts as well as business and leisure travelers who are looking for a new standard in air travel. “We are pleased to be working with the Wataniya Airways team in Dubai and bring our local market expertise and service to this winning equation,” he said.
“The new airline will operate with the latest product line of the Airbus A320 model, which has been specifically configured to cater to the premium luxury service that the airline intends to deliver,” he added.
The Airbus A320 model boasts the lowest seat density on an aircraft of its class with 122 seats (26 first class seats and 96 premium economy class seats) individually crafted and fitted with German Recaro leather, as compared to the industry average of 145, Wataniya Airways passengers are assured of excellent legroom and comfort throughout the flight.
On board, Wataniya Airways will be a pioneer in the region to offer in-flight entertainment and special facilities to passengers. The individual entertainment selection will offer an outstanding personal home theater experience and the new aircraft technology will provide first class travelers additional features such as plugging their I-Pods or MP3 players directly into sockets located on their seats.
Additionally, and for the first time, busy travelers can send and receive messages on their mobile phones and Blackberries using OnAir technology. Passengers can also use and recharge their personal laptops or other devices on all Wataniya aircraft.
On the ground, travelers will be using the Royal Terminal, exclusive to Wataniya airline passengers in Kuwait, while premium service and catering would be provided in Dubai.
Wataniya Airways will become the first airline in Kuwait that has been granted this privilege, and guests will be showered by luxury while on ground.
In 2009, Wataniya Airways will have leased four A320 Airbus aircraft with three more aircraft to come into service in 2010. The next planned destination for Wataniya Airways is Beirut and Bahrain early this year with more to follow.
