Kuwait Airways to take delivery of rented aircraft by end of 2014

Kuwait's only national carrier, Kuwait Airways is expected to take delivery of 12 rented brand-new planes from Airbus by the final quarter of 2014, its caretaker board chairman Jassar Al-Jassar said here on Tuesday. The decision to buy and rent brand-new aircraft from the world's leading aircraft manufacturer is part of the airline's blueprint to turn into a private carrier, Al-Jassar told a news conference. "Kuwait Airways is undergoing a crucial time and everyone can clearly see the bad and serious condition of our aircraft and the pressure the airline is facing from insurance companies or airports of different countries," he said. "We are working in an institutional manner and we have to give a top priority to the interest of Kuwait and Kuwait Airways," he added. This deal with Airbus had to be hammered out following the suspension of another deal with the Indian Jet Airways, he pointed out. Kuwait Airways had signed Monday a contract with the world's leading aircraft manufacturer, Airbus to purchase 25 new planes and to rent 12 new others. The national airline of Kuwait announced the deal in a press release, saying the delivery of the new aircraft will begin as of the second quarter of next year. The contract is part of the Kuwaiti national airline's efforts to overhaul its fleet with a view to boosting operating profits and revenues in the future.