Kuwait’s State Carrier Restructures Airbus Order to Add More Jets

Kuwait’s State Carrier Restructures Airbus Order to Add More Jets
A Kuwait Airways plane parked at Cairo International Airport is pictured through the window of an airplane on a flight between Cairo and Doha, Egypt, on Nov. 27, 2021. (Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters)
Reuters
2/21/2022
Updated:
2/21/2022

KUWAIT CITY—State-owned Kuwait Airways on Monday announced it would now purchase 31 jets from Airbus instead of 28 as part of a restructured deal in which it has also reduced orders for A350–900 jets.

Chief Executive Ma'an Razoq told a press conference the restructured aircraft order, estimated to be worth $3 billion, would save the loss-making carrier a total of $200 million.

The new deal, which includes some aircraft already delivered, is for nine A320neos, six A321 neos, three A321neo-LRs, four A330–800neos, seven A330–900neos and two A350–900s.

“All jets will be delivered by the end of 2028,” Razoq said.

The original 28 jet order was for 15 A320 neos, eight A330–800neos, and five A350–900s, according to Airbus’ website.

Of the original order, the airline has already taken delivery of six A320neos and two A330–800neos, the website says.

Kuwait Airways is now targeting to break even before 2026, Chairman Ali Aldokhan said.

By Ahmed Hagagy