Wataniya Airways ceases operations

Picture: (c) Wataniya Airways

Today the board of Kuwait based Wataniya Airways has decided to halt all operations in order to enter a process to determine the future of the company.

Here is the statement from the board of Wataniya Airways:

The Board of Wataniya Airways met today to discuss the company’s financial condition and options for the company going forward. As a result, 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.

In the meantime, given the current financial situation of the company and the lack of fair trade requirements in the local market, as well as the difficult political and security situation in the region, the Board has decided to cease all Wataniya Airways operations with the return of its last scheduled flight to Kuwait tonight, March 16th 2011.

The Board of Wataniya Airways apologises unreservedly to all parties for the inconvenience and disruption this will cause.

Today's decision ends roughly nine months of services between Kuwait City and Vienna. On 20-June-2010 Wataniya Airways had started three weekly Airbus 320-flights on this route. In November three weekly frequencies were added, routed via Beirut in Lebanon.

At the same time the fleet was stripped of four Airbus 320 and the network cut by four destinations - already a first visible sign of problems at the airline.

At present the resumption of services to Vienna is in question.