Jazeera Airways takes delivery of brand new Airbus A320 aircraft from the manufacturer, brings fleet up to 14 aircraft

Jazeera Airways Group yesterday took delivery of a brand new Airbus A320 aircraft, bringing its total fleet number to 14 aircraft. The new aircraft was placed in operation after it left the manufacturer’s A320 facility in Toulouse, France, on Friday morning, November 1, and landed in Kuwait at 7:15pm local time.  

On landing, the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK), Kuwait Chief Executive Officer Shaikha Al Bahar and Jazeera Airways Group Chairman Marwan Boodai signed the new aircraft’s engine, which is the second aircraft to be delivered out of three aircraft funded by the USD90 million structured facility that was led by NBK and DVB Bank SE back in June 2013. The first aircraft that was funded by the facility was delivered on June 1st. 

Jazeera Airways Group Chairman, Marwan Boodai, said, “The new aircraft will be placed in operation for the passenger airline business Jazeera Airways. Having one of the Middle East’s youngest fleets is a core component to our customer offering.” 

Boodai added, “As accustomed, the aircraft passed through a diligent nine-month review process by our team, our partners, and an independent inspector whom we hire. The successful delivery is the result of great efforts by the Jazeera Airways team and our partners.” 

NBK Kuwait Chief Executive Officer, Shaikha Al Bahar, said: We are happy to take part in this event. This is the second of the three aircrafts that NBK led the financing for. NBK has been a major supporter of Jazeera Airways since its establishment. This reflects NBK’s commitment as a trustworthy partner that can be relied on to support local and regional companies in their development and expansion plans. We are confident that Jazeera Airways will continue growing successfully to strengthen its position in the regional aviation market.” 

The newly delivered aircraft is part of the airline’s growth strategy to operate new and modern aircraft, and to take on new aircraft deliveries until 2014 in parallel with Kuwait’s overall market growth. 

To date, the company has taken delivery of 14 Airbus A320s since 2005 out of its order of 15 aircraft of the same type. The company’s remaining aircraft from its current order is scheduled for delivery in May 2014. 

The Airbus A320 is the world’s most-selling aircraft. There are 3,264 A320 aircraft in operation by airlines across the world and over 3,446 aircraft scheduled for delivery over the coming years and another 6,468 in order. 

Jazeera Airways Group is a Kuwait Stock Exchange-listed company with a fleet of 14 fully-owned Airbus A320s, distributed between its airline business, Jazeera Airways (eight aircraft), and its fully-owned leasing-arm Sahaab Aircraft Leasing (six aircraft). Sahaab has assets placed with Virgin America, SriLankan Airlines, and Jazeera Airways. 

Jazeera Airways operates its seven fully-owned Airbus A320s with a two-class cabin comprising a Business Class and an Economy Class.  Business Class travelers get both an upgraded experience and exclusivity, starting with exclusive check-in lines, business lounge access, up to 60 kilograms in free baggage allowance, and an exclusive on-board cabin. The airline’s Economy Class offers travelers free baggage allowance of 40 kilograms and free on-board meals with a changing menu every month. 

Jazeera Airways is based in Kuwait and serves 19 popular destinations in the Middle East from Kuwait comprising high-demand business, leisure, family, and weekend destinations such as Dubai, Bahrain, Beirut, Alexandria, Amman, Istanbul, Sharm El Sheikh, Assiut, Luxor, Mashhad, Sohag, Jeddah, Riyadh, Cairo and Al Najaf. 

Jazeera Airways is an IATA-member airline and operates one of the youngest Airbus A320 fleets in the Middle East.