Wataniya Airways to add two new destinations

 KUWAIT: The head of Wataniya Airways has announced that the company is to add two new destination to its existing nine before this summer. Abdulsalam Al-Bahar, the head of the newest Kuwaiti airline, said that the government should not be flying planes, adding that he is waiting for the day when Kuwait Airways will be privatized. Al-Bahar was speaking during a weekly seminar held at the Arab Media Forum premises, in the Yarmook area on Monday evening. The Wataniya Airways CEO said that Kuwait Airways has many more privileges as a government-owned company, making it harder for private companies to compete with it in a small market like Kuwait.

They have subsidized prices for fuel, they pay 25 fils per square meter for their facilities while we pay 25 KD, and they are also the carrier for all government and official trips, for which they receive special prices," he said.
Al-Bahar was also critical of government bureaucracy, pointing out that the current laws governing airlines have been in place since the 60s, when only one carrier was operating in Kuwait, meaning that they are not suitable for the current market. He added that the privatization of Kuwait Airways will create a strong competitor for Wataniya Airways, since both airlines will be subjected to equal treatment, with the resulting increased competition helping to enhance the services offered for Kuwaitis and to advance both companies' capabilities.

Al-Bahar said that at present Wataniya has to use Sheikh Saad Airport because Kuwait International Airport (KIA) is already operating beyond its current capacity. "[KIA's] capacity is around four million passengers, and it's currently handling eight million passengers a year," he said. Al-Bahar further revealed that a study conducted for Wataniya Airways by an independent research company discovered that 95 percent of the airports close to the size of KIA are operated by only one carrier.

2009 was the worst year to date for aviation worldwide, he said, adding that the Kuwaiti market has limited capacity. "The local market can only handle two operators, not three," he asserted, further noting that although he is looking forward to KAC's privatization, Wataniya has no wish to acquire the other airline. In the meantime, he said that it would not be helpful to transfer KAC's ownership to the Public Investment Authority.

The private sector should be given the responsibility for operating such companies. Have you ever heard of a profitable government-owned services company?" he asked, adding, "The government is not meant to fly airplanes, and the Public Investment Authority is also part of the government.  Al-Bahar further contended that Kuwait is suffering from a surfeit of improvised decision-making,

The country is not only run through interpellations, and the policy of 'things will resolve themselves' is not right," he stated, adding pointedly, "The Minister of Communications barely speaks about anything but grilling.  Wataniya Airways, Kuwait's newest carrier, began operating in January 2009. It currently rents four airplanes, operating 22 flights a week. The company, which currently employs 400 staff from 48 countries, was the second in the world to introduce an On-Air service which allows passengers to use mobile phones and laptop computers on board its flights.


                                            source: kuwait times