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Tuesday, 20 December 2016 00:07 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Kuwait Airways, the national carrier of the State of Kuwait, confirmed the first of 10 ordered Boeing 777-300ER aircraft has arrived in Kuwait, landing at Kuwait International Airport.
The new aircraft was provided a water canon salute and welcomed by a delegation from the airline, headed by Chairperson and CEO Rasha Al Roumi and Deputy CEO Kamil Al Awadhi. Dignitaries also present included, Kuwaiti Minister of State for Housing Affairs Yasser Hassan Abul; US Ambassador to Kuwait Lawrence R. Silverman; and DGCA President Sheikh Mubarak Salim Al Sabah, as well as other senior officials.
Arriving as a non-commercial, non-stop flight from Boeing’s factory to Kuwait, the Boeing 777- 300ER will now undergo some regional flight tests, before entering full commercial service within weeks. It is understood that the aircraft’s maiden commercial flight and route will be to London, although the exact dates will be revealed in a later announcement. The delivery of the Boeing 777- 300ER, bearing the airline’s new look livery, represents another positive step forward for the Arabian Gulf-based airline, in support of its previously announced five-year transformation strategy, in September this year.
“As part of Kuwait Airways’ five-year transformation strategy, we are pleased to welcome the arrival of the first of 10 Boeing 777- 300ER aircraft into our fleet,” said Rasha Al Roumi. “Such acquisitions will be instrumental in the airline’s future growth plans and today’s delivery represents one of the first steps towards achieving our stated aim of having the youngest commercial airline fleet in the world, by 2021.”
According to the Airline’s Senior Management, the transformation taking place across the airline is not limited to just ‘cosmetic’ or ‘product’ (aircraft) changes; it is described as a comprehensive approach that seeks to deliver on all areas of ‘operational, commercial and service excellence’.