SEATTLE/KUWAIT: As part of a high-level delegation to Seattle, USA, ahead of the delivery of the first of 10 Boeing 777-300ERs, Rasha Al-Roumi, Chairperson and CEO of Kuwait Airways, the national carrier of the State of Kuwait, went on a tour of The Boeing factory at Everett, to look at the first of the new additions to the airline’s fleet. Roumi was given a tour of the Boeing factory and was also briefed on the progress of Kuwait Airways’ second Boeing 777-300ER currently being built.
The first airplane is scheduled to be officially handed over by November 2016. Under the delivery agreement, Kuwait Airways will have all 10 aircraft delivered and in commercial service by Q3 2017. As part of her visit, Roumi met with Elizabeth Lund, Vice-President and General Manager of the 777 program. Lund leads the design, development, certification, production and delivery of all models of the Boeing 777 family of airplanes currently in production.
While on the tour, the Kuwait Airways delegation was informed that Boeing is using the latest “moving line” production technologies and systems to build the airline’s 10 new aircrafts. This allows the airplane manufacturer to produce one 777-300ER – from start to finish – in just 46 working days. On completion of the tour, Roumi said: “We are delighted to be here in Seattle and to note the progress of both our first and second Boeing 777-300ERs.
These new additions are in line with Kuwait Airways’ ‘Transformation Strategy’ that will see the airline have the youngest commercial airline fleet – in the world – by 2021 and offer a superior product for our passengers.” While the arrival of the Boeing 777-300ERs will improve Kuwait Airways’ fleet, the aircraft will also open up future possibilities for the airline to serve new, long-haul routes and destinations. This is part of the airline’s stated goal of becoming the “preferred airline linking Kuwait to the world.”
Kuwait Times
