The event was attended by the His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah - Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Ahmed Al Abdalah Al Sabah - Minister of Communication, His Excellency Abdulah Abdulrahman Al Taweel - Minister of Trade and Commerce, His excellency Yacoub Al Sager - head of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Chairman and CEO of Jazeera Airways, leading members of the business community, and Jazeera Airways officials.
Over 600 VIP guests as well as local and international press gathered in the VIP section of Kuwait Airport to witness history in the making as this aspiring new carrier prepared to penetrate the aviation sector.
In his official announcement of the launch, Marwan Boodai, Chairman and CEO of Jazeera Airways said:
"This truly is a historical moment for Kuwait and our aviation industry. After 50 years of monopoly, the launch of Jazeera Airways, the first privately owned national airline of Kuwait and the Middle East opens a new chapter in air travel in the region."
We are now able to overcome the 50 years monopoly, the launch of Jazeera Airways, the first privately owned national airline of Kuwait and the Middle East opens a new page in air travel in the region".
Jazeera Airways, opened its doors for bookings last September, and will dispatch flights to Dubai on October 30, Beirut on October 31 and Bahrain on November 10. The airline launches with two brand new Airbus A320 aircrafts and announced its plans to expand its list of destinations to encompass Amman, Damascus, Luxor, Alexandria, and the Indian subcontinents.
"Following 18 months of intensive preparations, we are proud to announce that we are starting operations on schedule with some flights booked at 80% capacity, and we anticipate a major increase after the launch", commented Boodai. "Jazeera Airways is an airline that is unique in every way. It breaks away from the conventional airlines known in the region, with its business model and quality standards."
Jazeera Airways operates on a low-fare business model characterised by high operational efficiency, latest booking and payment technology, fully automated integrated operations and a fleet of a single type of aircraft the Airbus A320 - a single type aircraft fleet.
True to its vision to empower travellers, Jazeera Airways is the first in the region to grant passengers full control over their travel experience with 24/7 booking channels including internet, SMS, ticket-less travel and choice of food for purchase on board. Jazeera Airways passengers who use the online booking facility will be able to choose their own seats in the brand new, leather fitted cabins and enjoy ample leg space along with real T.V. programming.
Jazeera Airways partnered with well-reputed experts in the industry such as Airbus, Navitaire electronic booking and revenue management system and the German world leader in aircraft engineering and maintenance - Lufthansa Technic. These experts were selected to look after the new fleet in partnership with Jazeera Airways engineers. The airline also has very strict recruitment policies and only hires pilots with a minimum of 5000 hours of flight experience.

Posted by Lara Lynn Golden, News Editor



