Kuwait Airways to increase India flights

The airline will add flights to Ahmedabad and Bengaluru in the summer schedule as a part of its expansion in India

Kuwait Airways is adding flights to Ahmedabad and Bengaluru in the summer schedule as a part of its expansion in India.

While the Gulf Big 3 – Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways dominate aviation globally, Kuwait Airways has been a laggard. But things are now changing. Kuwait Airways has phased out its two decade old aircraft (Airbus A300s and A310s) with new planes and is expanding network. Last year it added eight new destinations including the two cities in India.

Currently it flies thrice weekly to Ahmedabad and Bengaluru and in summer schedule the frequency will increase to five flights a week. “The growth in Indian market is positive and our plan is to grow presence in key destinations which we serve at moment,” said Kuwait Airways chief commercial officer Philip Saunders.

However there is no immediate plan to add more destinations in India.  Last year it added eight new destinations including the two cities in India. Currently flies to seven destinations in India.

The airline will also be doubling flights to London to twice daily from winter with the addition of its new three class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The airline is also inducting Airbus A320s, A330s and has ten A350s on order due for delivery in 2019.

Unlike its other larger Gulf peers like Emirates or Etihad, Kuwait Airways has a smaller fleet and limited network and hence a smaller share of onward traffic than the big carriers. As such it does not have a large corporate business from India and relies largely on leisure travel and labour traffic. It competes with Air India and Jet Airways on India-Kuwait routes.

“We are not copying the other Gulf carriers. We are building an airline which will be the first choice of all Kuwait residents,” Saunders added.