The proposed privatisation of Kuwait’s state-run airline is progressing on schedule with the process to be concluded as early as April or June, provided everything continues to run smoothly, according to Chairman of Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC), Hamad A. Latif Al-Falah.
Speaking in Colombo, the top official noted that privatisation would allow the currently loss-making Kuwait Airways to overcome government bureaucracy, adding that “aviation needs quick decisions.”
Elaborating, Mr. Al-Falah indicated that the airline currently experiences problems across all quarters including updating its image and even with changing its seats.
Mr. Al-Falah’s comments were made at a press conference marking the 40th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s South Asian Travels being appointed as the General Sales Agency (GSA) of Kuwait Airways, which he and a delegation of senior officials of the airline attended last week.
Mr. Al-Falah further remarked that although there was a lot of demand for their flights to Kuwait from Sri Lanka, currently four times a week, and a wish to increase the number of weekly flights to Sri Lanka to six, this could occur only at a later date, when the airline acquired more aircraft. He also noted that, as it was the position of the Emir of Kuwait to forge stronger relationships with Asian countries such as Sri Lanka, it was also likely that tourism would be further promoted between the two countries.
Indicating that links between Sri Lanka and the airline were already strong since many of the cabin crew were Sri Lankans.
Mr. Al-Falah had this advice for the Sri Lankan government -- invest in more promotional activities in international media.
Representatives of South Asian Travels, a member of Ceylinco Consolidated, took the opportunity to note that this company held the oldest continuously operating GSA of Kuwait Airways.( |
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