Wataniya Airways signs 8-year maintenance services contract with Sabena technics

As part of the agreement with Wataniya Airways, Sabena technics will establish a maintenance base in Kuwait to provide a range of top level maintenance services to facilitate the smooth running of the new premium airline once it commences operations in January 2009.

George Cooper, Wataniya Airways Chief Executive Officer, said:

"We are delighted to have contracted the services of such a respected organisation for our airline. This is yet another key milestone in the development of Wataniya Airways and an integral component of the airline's operational planning phase."

The agreement covers Engineering and Light (base) Maintenance services that provide modern hangar facilities for regular high quality maintenance work to be carried out. The Line Maintenance will provide critical support for the running of regular and punctual airline services. Component support provides essential access to spare parts and the repair and overhaul of all aircraft components.

Captain Adel Barjas, Chief Operating Officer for Wataniya Airways, commented:

"Implementing a high standard of operational excellence is a key principle of Wataniya Airways' operations and stringent maintenance services are an integral part of this. We therefore selected Sabena technics as one of the eminent international service providers in the industry to be our maintenance partners."

Wataniya Airways will start its operations in January 2009 and will operate seven A320 aircraft by the end of 2010. Any additional A320 aircraft will also be covered by the contract.

Wataniya Airways will provide first class and premium class passenger services from Kuwait to destinations South and West of the country within the Middle East. The Middle East aviation market is one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing in the world and Wataniya Airways will provide flight schedules and destinations that cater to the specific needs of Kuwaiti travellers. Wataniya Airways is one of the few short-haul premium quality airlines to have been launched world-wide in the last decade.