Kuwait Airways Signs Deal To Buy 25 Airbus Jets

Kuwait Airways has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to buy 25 aircraft from Airbus, in a deal estimated to be worth $4 billion at list prices.

The Kuwaiti national carrier has placed an order for 10 A350-900 and 15 A320neo family aircraft, Airbus said in a statement. The airline already operates three A320, three A310, five A300 and four A340 family aircraft.

The order is part of Kuwait Airways’ fleet renewal strategy, the statement said.

“The Airbus family is the ideal choice for an airline like ours,” said Kuwait Airways acting chairman Jassar Al Jassar.

“The A350-900 will strengthen our long haul route development whilst the A320neo will further boost our regional route network. These aircraft are an essential part of our ambitious growth plans.”

The A320neo, offered as an option for the A320 family, incorporates “new more efficient engines and large ‘Sharklet’ wing tip devices, which together will deliver up to 15 per cent in fuel savings,” Airbus said.

Kuwait Airways is expected to receive the planes from 2019 until the end of 2022, a Reuters report said.

The airline may issue bonds or sukuk to finance the deal, the report added, quoting an adviser to Kuwait Airways.