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Jazeera Airways starts formal bidding process for 35% of Kuwait Airways

Direct News Source

1-Jun-2015 Jazeera Airways announced today that it formally submitted a letter of intent to acquire 35% of Kuwait Airways Company, which is currently undergoing a privatization process by the Government of Kuwait. The 35% stake is the maximum allowed stake by a single private investor as stipulated under the Kuwait Airways Privatization Law 6/2008 and its accompanying amendments.

The privatization of Kuwait Airways will be the first privatization exercise transaction by the government of Kuwait that exceeds the three billion dollar mark.

Jazeera Airways Chairman, Marwan Boodai, said: "Today, we launch our bid for the acquisition of 35% of Kuwait Airways, armed with a vision to grow Kuwait Airways into a leading airline that meets the ambitions of the Kuwaitis and travelers across the world, starting by reclaiming Kuwait Airways' home market. As witnessed in airline privatization exercises over the last 50 years, we believe an efficiently run Kuwait Airways with a private sector management approach benefits all stakeholders, especially employees who will be presented with an opportunity to transform and grow the airline into one that travelers seek as a first choice rather than a last resort."

Kuwait Airways is one of the oldest airlines in the Middle East and in recent decades the airline was impacted by bureaucracy, politicization of the organization, and absence of vision, all of which contributed to the stagnation of the airline which prompted the Kuwait National Assembly and the Government of Kuwait to embark on privatizing the airline.

"Ultimately, we are bidding for Kuwait Airways because we believe in the Kuwaiti economy and in the talents within the organization. We believe Kuwait Airways should operate as an organization that rewards employees for commitment and innovation, and should we succeed in winning the bid, Kuwait Airways employees will be the reason why we succeed in transforming the airline," added Boodai.

Operating since 2005, Jazeera Airways is the first 100% privately owned airline in the Middle East and remains to this day among one of a handful of non-government owned airlines in the region.