Wataniya Airways’ first flight to Dubai in Feb

Kuwaiti passengers travelling to Dubai can now avail of Wataniya Airways’ services. The carrier, which is Kuwait’s new full service luxury airline will provide two daily flights to Dubai, as its first destination from February 2009. This was announced during a press conference held at Kuwait’s Royal Terminal – the new luxury departure point for Wataniya Airways services yesterday. The airline also announced the start of its ticketing operations and bookings will be open from today, November 24. The contact center on 144 or 24379999 can be contacted, using the website (wataniyaairways.com) or through a travel agent. The schedule for flights to Dubai (available from February 8, 2009) is:- KW 1000 Dep. KWI 08.15 Arr. DXB 10.55 Days of operation 1.2.3.4.5.6.7. KW 1001 Dep. DXB 11.55 Arr. KWI 12.45 Days of operation 1.2.3.4.5.6.7. KW 1008 Dep. KWI 18.25 Arr. DXB 21.05 Days of operation 1.2.3.4.5.6.7. KW 1009 Dep. DXB 22.05 Arr. KWI 22.55 Days of operation 1.2.3.4.5.6.7. It will be the first time that any commercial flight in Kuwait has taken off from a location other than Kuwait International Airport and the announcement comes after gaining approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to use the prestigious luxury Royal Terminal as its base for operations. Wataniya Airways will carry out operations as per previous announcement. « Wataniya Airways is very proud to have reached this stage in our preparations and our team is delighted at the achievements to date and the fact that we can now announce that the countdown has officially started for providing Kuwaitis with a new travelling experience – one that will start in the superb surroundings of the Royal Terminal, » said Abdul Salam Al-Bahar, Wataniya Airways Chairman and Managing Director. Wataniya Airways also announced that the listing of its parent company Kuwait National Airways will take place on the Kuwait Stock Exchange on December 15, 2008. The airline also said that it has been awarded the easily recognizable ‘KW’ flight code by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and that will be used for all its flights upon the commencement of operations. From its new headquarters at the Royal Terminal, one of the largest private aviation terminals in the world, Wataniya Airways will be able to showcase its premium and luxury services for both its First Class and Premium Economy passengers. The terminal offers various hospitality services to travelers from limousine pickup from any location in Kuwait, to prompt and highly practical check-in procedures, as well as luxurious first class lounges. Passengers onboard Wataniya Airways are set to enjoy an exceptio nal travelling experience both on the ground and in the air. The airline provides luxury services at affordable prices. « We are looking forward to providing our guests with the chance to enjoy the combination of our luxury services onboard our short-haul direct flights on our fleet of new A320 Airbus aircraft and on the ground at the Royal Terminal. It will be a unique travelling experience for people in Kuwait, » noted George Cooper Wataniya Airways CEO. Dubai is the ideal first destination given the high volume of business and leisure travel to the city. « In the coming weeks, we shall be announcing further destinations to come on stream before the end of February. We believe the airline will do well and make good profits, » added Cooper. Securing the ‘KW’ flight code is an important step for Wataniya Airways. « We are delighted to have had the approval of our request for ‘KW’ which is a major statement of intent that clearly identifies Wataniya Airways to the traveling public as a truly ‘Kuwaiti’ airline. This is especially fitting, given that the airline has been created with the Kuwaiti customer first and foremost in mind, offering routes and schedules that will fit around the travelling requirements of Kuwaitis, » he further said. Wataniya Airways will be the first in the region to install revolutionary, cutting edge technology on board. « The new luxury aircraft will provide travelers with unparalleled choice for in-flight entertainment and special facilities that will appeal to both leisure and business guests. The personal entertainment selection will create an outstanding personal home theater experience and the new aircraft technology will provide First Class guests additional features by allowing them to plug their iPods (or si milar MP3 devices) directly into sockets located in their seat, » said Al-Bahar. And for the first time ever in the region, busy travelers can send and receive SMSs and emails on their mobile phones and Blackberries using OnAir innovative technology. The ability to use and recharge personal communications devices, including laptops, on Wataniya Airways planes will be an added value to business and leisure travelers. For more comfort and lots of legroom -Wataniya Airways has only 122 seats, divided to 26 First Class seats plus 96 Premium Economy Class Seats while most other international airlines carriers have 145 seats or more. « Wataniya Airways new fleet will also be fitted with individually crafted German Recaro leather seating that provides the ultimate in comfort, suiting the short-haul flight business model in their First and Premium Economy classes and which are generally reserved for high-end luxury sports cars lines like Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini, » concluded Al-Bahar. kuwaittimes.net