Kuwait Airways CEO Shares Airline's New Strategy For Transformation
Date
2/16/2023 1:36:44 AM
(MENAFN- Bangladesh Monitor) Kuwait City : Kuwait Airways CEO Maen Razouqi shared the transformation of the Kuwaiti flag carrier, its fleet, strategy and future direction to the media recently.
Regarding the Airbus A330-800, they overcame the [engine] challenge, said Razouqi. Kuwait Airways operates four A330-800s.
'We believe the A330-800 will be an enabler for us to get nonstop from Kuwait to North America ... it will take us to New York JFK on better margins,' said Kuwait Airways CEO Maen Razouqi.
This route is currently operated nonstop by Boeing 777-300ERs. Kuwait Airways have also seven A330-900s on order, the first of which is scheduled for delivery in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024.
Several A330-900s will be configured in high-density configuration, to use on routes like Manila with more economy class seats.
The CEO mentioned Kuwait Airways' future fleet will be based on a 60 per cent narrowbody to 40 per cent widebody ratio.
Besides operating A320s and A320neo, the carrier also has six A321neo and three A321LRs on order; the first should arrive as early as the end of 2024.
Razouqi describes the A321LR as a game changer and takes the carrier as far as Manchester probably as far as Bangkok.
In 2022, the airline received one A320neos and two A330-800. In 2023, the airline will add two A320neos.
'We definitely need to think beyond 2030 sooner than later. We have five B777-300/ERs on lease up to 2029, and five are owned,' he added.
Razouqi also outlines Kuwait Airways' growth strategy which is based on two parts. First on organic growth and the Kuwait market which is about 15 million passengers a year.
'Our capacity today is to serve around five million passengers, so there is a lot for us to tap in,' said Kuwait Airways CEO Maen Razouqi.
Kuwait Airways also announced 20 new destinations in 2023.
'By the end of this year, we have our target to reach 60 point-to-point destinations and to have another 100 to take us beyond that with partners,' Razouqi said.
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