Aircraft

Kuwait's Wataniya Airlines has begun evaluating fleet expansion options for 2011 and beyond.

The carrier, which launched services in January, now operates four leased Airbus A320s and is committed to leasing three additional A320s next year. Wataniya chief executive George Cooper says it is now looking at ordering or leasing aircraft for 2011 and beyond.

"We're just beginning now to think about what we should do in 2011," Cooper told the Flight Daily News. "This show has come at just the right time for us. We are now able to go to people and describe the thoughts we got. We're considering all options."

Cooper says he is talking at the show to manufacturers as well as leasing companies. While he acknowledges expanding Wataniya's A320 fleet would make the most sense, the carrier is also talking to Boeing. "It's useful to maintain flexibility," Cooper says.

He says the carrier is also not wed to the A320 and will consider A319s and A321s. "There are quite a few options for us," Cooper says. "We think early in the new year we'll present some options to the board and they'll decide what to do in terms of our development in 2011 and beyond."

Cooper would not say how many aircraft Wataniya is looking to add in 2011 and beyond, explaining this partly hinges on what happens with beleaguered flag carrier Kuwait Airlines. But he adds: "We're not planning to be a mega carrier."

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