Dubai: A parliamentary committee in Kuwait has approved the privatisation of struggling flagship carrier Kuwait Airways, but says the process could take up to three years.
Business | Aviation
Parliament approves Kuwait Airways privatisation
Plan is to offer 35 per cent stake to shareholders
- AP
- Published: 17:12 January 8, 2013
The report by the official Kuwait News Agency gave no further details. But officials on Tuesday suggested there were no major changes to previously announced plans to offer a 35 per cent stake to shareholders.
Kuwait Airways faces several challenges including high labour costs, an aging fleet and stiff competition from other Persian Gulf carriers such as Qatar Airways and Dubai-based Emirates. The move comes four years after Kuwait’s parliament first approved a plan to restructure the airline.
Kuwait relies on oil exports for nearly all its revenue, but like other Gulf states it hopes to bolster its private sector and reduce dependency on oil revenue.
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