|
Profile
On the wave of the oil boom of the 1940s, a national carrier was
born in 1954. Initially, Kuwait Airways Company served a limited
network of Abadan, Beirut, Damascus and Jerusalem but a year later
the fledgling carrier was facing economic hardship, and the government
of Kuwait took a 50% interest in the airline, subsequently doubling
the company's capital. Having entered the rough and tumble world
of aviation, the government finally took out 100% share in Kuwait
Airways.
Kuwait Airways entered the jet age in 1962 by leasing
a Comet 4-C, the world's first jet-engined airliner. In the 1960s,
the national carrier rapidly expanded its route map, and scheduled
services to London begun three times a week. To keep pace with fast-moving
aviation needs, three Boeing 707s were delivered in 1968. Ten years
later, Kuwait Airways had an all -Boeing 707 fleet of eight aircraft.
In 1978, Kuwait Airways entered the wide-body age
by taking delivery of its first two B747-200s, adding a third the
following year. This expansion permitted Kuwait Airways to extend
its network to Newyork to the west and Manila to the east.
Modernization of the fleet continued, and four
B727-200s were delivered in 1980-1981. Two years later eight Airbus
A310s and A300-600s were delivered, and in 1986 three Boeing 767-200ER
aircraft joined the wide-body fleet.
Following the destruction of its premises and 15
of its aircraft during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the airline
was relaunched. Kuwait Airways fleet now comprises three A320-200s,
three A310-300s, five A300-605Rs, four A340-300s and two Boeing
B777s, bringing the fleet to 17 aircraft, equipped with the latest
entertainment systems.
Kuwait Airways aims to re-establish its network
to reach more than 46 countries around the globe with a firm commitment
to providing the finest service and comfort to passengers while
continuing to rank safety as one of highest priorities.
|
