KIPCO reaching new heights with launch of Kuwait's first luxury business jet airline

"United Aviation will be available for VIP business travel to and from destinations in the Gulf, Europe, Asia, and further afield around the world, said Faisal Hamad Al-Ayyar, managing director and chief executive officer of KIPCO. "As Kuwait's first luxury business jet charter airline we are proud to offer a service that takes VIP travel to new heights - with tailor-made facilities for customers to travel when they want, and where they want to, without the constraints of scheduled airline flights," said Mr. Al-Ayyar.

"Iraq is a major focus for regional and international businesses seeking to be involved in rebuilding the country, and our new airline will be in the leading position to provide a premier service for swift and comfortable access to the Iraqi business centres, once all official permissions are given," he said.

The launch of United Aviation is a significant and strategic venture for KIPCO, one of the leading diversified holding companies in the Middle East and North Africa, and Kuwait's largest private sector company.

The new airline, licensed by the Kuwait Directorate General of Civil Aviation, is now processing governmental approvals and insurance for flights to Baghdad - a short flight time around 45 minutes from Kuwait - in its first aircraft, a new Embraer 135 Legacy twin-jet. Facilities upgrades at Baghdad International Airport also have to be completed before commercial flights can resume.

United Aviation's sleek Brazilian-made Embraer jet is fitted out to the highest specifications with a luxurious wood and leather-trimmed cabin interior, and can carry a maximum of 14 passengers in opulent comfort. Powered by two Rolls-Royce AE3007 engines, and equipped with the latest state-of-the-art Honeywell avionics systems, the aircraft has a range of 3,100 nautical miles (5,766 kilometres) and a cruising altitude of 39,000 feet (11,607 metres) enabling non-stop flight to London in less than seven hours.

The airline's fleet is set to double in the coming months with the arrival of a second Embraer Legacy 135, fitted out to similar luxurious specifications.

United Aviation's passenger services include limousine collection from home, dedicated luxury check-in lounge at Kuwait International Airport and limousine delivery at destination - a complete VIP door-to-door service.

The new airline's chief executive officer is aviation veteran Captain Abdullah Bastaki, a former Director of Operations at Kuwait Airways Corporation, who during his 27 years as a pilot with Kuwait Airways established and piloted the Amiri Fleet. His 20 years at the helm of the Amiri Fleet gives Captain Bastaki unrivalled expertise in operating a VIP airline.