Kuwait Airways

Kuwait Airways reverses strategy as it suspends privatisation plan

It is a hard ask to sell a product that is losing money, but that is what the Kuwait Government has been attempting to do with the privatisation of Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC). Despite the carrier’s inherent potential – a potential amplified by its position as the national carrier of one of the Gulf regions’ riches oil states – the airline was always going to be a tough sell to investors.

Legislation for the privatisation has been in play since Jul-2008, but privatisation appeared to be largely stuck in red tape. In concert with this, the delays to the valuation and financial analysis of the airline, the state of competition in Kuwait’s local air market and the general global economic situation and the ongoing operational and structural problems at the carrier, all conspired against the process.

Who will buy in to Kuwait Airways?

The drawn out privatisation of Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) may be entering a new and decisive phase, with reports emerging that the carrier could enter talks with potential investors for a 35% stake in the carrier and management rights as early as this week. Citigroup, Seabury and Ernst & Young have been advising on the privatisation since Aug-2010. Submissions of expressions of interest are due by 25-Aug-2011.

Arab unrest puts brakes on Air Arabia's Jordan expansion

The ripples from the Arab Spring continue to spread. Air Arabia, the largest LCC in the Middle East, announced in Jun-2011 that it would delay the launch of its Jordanian JV due to the downturn in traffic in the region, as well as higher oil prices. While the political and social environment in Jordan is described by the carrier as “stable”, Syria, Bahrain, Egypt and Tunisia still have not resolved local political instability.

Kuwait Airways reports another year of heavy losses

Kuwait Airways has been unable to staunch the heavy flow of losses but the Kuwait government appears to be pressing on with the proposed privatisation of the carrier regardless. Despite Chairman and Managing Director Hamad Al-Falah reporting the carrier suffered a loss of KWD76 million (USD276.3 million) for FY2010/11 on 20-Jun-2011, just five days later the Privatisation Committee of Kuwait Airways Corporation (PrivComm) announced analysis of the carrier and the Kuwaiti market has “identified a clear investment opportunity for a restructured national operator”.