Another Carrier gone! Kuwait

[cdnpilot77]

From PCC

Kuwait's Wataniya Air Halts Flights, Cites Finances
PCC Daily News for Pilots

March 16, 2011
Kuwaiti luxury carrier Wataniya Airways said on Wednesday it was stopping its operations due to its financial situation and regional unrest.

"Given the current financial situation of the company..., as well as the difficult political and security situation in the region, the board has decided to cease all Wataniya Airways operations," a company statement said.

The statement also blamed a "lack of fair trade requirements in the local market" for its decision, without elaborating.

The small airline which started operations in 2009, catering for wealthy citizens of the Gulf Arab oil producers, said in November it was cutting its fleet and the number of its Middle East destinations as its financial performance had fallen short of expectations.

"The board has decided to call a meeting of the company's shareholders as soon as possible to discuss the future course of the company," Wednesday's statement said .

While popular uprisings have swept the Arab world, Bahrain's Shi'ite majority has staged the Gulf's most sustained protests, while Oman and Saudi Arabia have also witnessed some demonstrations. Kuwait has seen protests by stateless Arabs demanding citizenship benefits.

http://pilotcareercentre.com/Aviation-P ... s+Finances

[UKPilot]

I applied there and never got the call. I was disappointed at the time as it seemed awesome, but obviously it was for the best.

The article is a little confusing in the sense that it says the airline has shut down completely but are still trying to source funding...can't be both can it to run the exact same airline?

I read somewhere that they had their own terminal in kuwait and drove the business class passengers 100 odd feet out to the aircraft in mercedes van's. I don't know about you, but I can't think of any reason as to why they were hemorrhaging money...

[Panama Jack]

When I first read about their business model during the start-up, I wondered how long they would survive. Sad to hear but not surprised either. If you are going to start an airline, start a low-cost, low-fare one. Otherwise forget it.