Kuwaiti start-up carrier Wataniya Airways has unveiled Dubai as its first destination, and will begin operating the route twice-daily from 8 February next year.

The airline will also use as its base Kuwait International Airport's luxurious Royal Terminal, a new $42 million private aviation facility, rather than the regular commercial building.

Wataniya Airways has been assigned the designator code 'KW' for its services and has sealed agreements - with lessors ALAFCO, ILFC and AerCap - to acquire a fleet of 122-seat Airbus A320s.

"Dubai is the ideal first destination given the high volume of business and leisure travel to the city and, in the coming weeks, we shall be announcing further destinations to come on stream before the end of February," says Wataniya chief George Cooper.

Wataniya Airways

 © Wataniya Airways

Wataniya's aircraft will feature personalised in-flight entertainment and capabilities, through mobile communications technology provider OnAir, for passengers to communicate emails and text messages.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news