Wataniya Airways delays daily service to Saudi

Kuwaiti premium service carrier Wataniya Airways has announced it will delay the launch of its daily flights to Jeddah until the end of October.

Difficulties in securing slots with the Saudi authorities and current market conditions were sited as contributing to the delay which has now been incorporated within a new winter schedule that is designed to accommodate an expected increase in demand during the popular Hajj season (which begins at the end of November).

The schedule will include increased frequencies to many of the popular routes that are serviced by Wataniya Airways’ growing fleet. The improved winter schedule includes more flights to Dubai, Bahrain, and Damascus and better timings for flights to Sharm El Sheikh. The changes reflect a deeper schedule, made possible by the arrival of the airline’s fourth aircraft which is due to arrive in late October.

Chairman and Managing Director of Wataniya Airways, Mr. Abdulsalam Al Bahar, confirmed that it was prudent to commence flights to Jeddah in October, allowing the airline to concentrate on the important Hajj season: “Additional time was required to negotiate slots and obtain our final operating permit for Jeddah. The Saudi Authorities have demonstrated huge cooperation to help expedite the process, but this is a complex procedure which took a bit longer than initially anticipated and we appreciate their help and support.

“Against this and taking into consideration the current market conditions, we have decided to postpone Jeddah until the end of October and to concentrate on providing a winter schedule that is more convenient to our guests and better suits their needs”.

Wataniya Airways is scheduled to receive its fourth custom fitted aircraft in October, allowing it to implement its new schedule. The airline currently operates scheduled flights to Dubai, Bahrain, Cairo, Damascus, Amman, Beirut, and Sharm El Sheikh, with Jeddah being its eighth destination when it starts in October.