Oneworld alliance member Malaysia Airlines and Kuwait Airways have signed a bilateral interline agreement commencing April 1.
The agreement was signed by Kuwait Airways chief Maen Razouqi and the chief executive of Malaysia Airlines, Captain Izham Ismail, on the sidelines of a ceremony held in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur.
The enhanced partnership will enable Kuwait Airways to expand its network and better serve its passengers through Malaysia Airlines’ Kuala Lumpur hub, including on Malaysia Airlines domestic flights and regional services to Singapore, Taipei, Seoul and Tokyo, as well as Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Auckland.
Malaysia Airlines passengers will benefit from interline connectivity via Kuwait to other GCC, Middle Eastern and North African on the Kuwait Airways network.
“We are pleased to enter a new chapter in the long-standing relationship between Kuwait Airways and Malaysia Airlines, which is expected to add value to our customers and offer them various options, greater efficiency, and a more comprehensive network. The Middle East market is important to Malaysia Airlines, and we are constantly striving to expand our network and range of products to better serve this sector,” said Malaysia Airlines chief Ismail.
“This agreement is the first partnership which will further facilitate a strategic cooperation with Malaysia Airlines, across multiple areas and in all fields of the aviation sector. This is also an important part of the historical and strong relations between the State of Kuwait and the Kingdom of Malaysia, which are characterized by an understanding at all political, economic, and cultural levels between both the countries,” said Kuwait Airways’ Maen Razouqi.
Kuwait Airways recently increased flights to Kuala Lumpur, its top executive noted.
“Kuala Lumpur is one of Kuwait Airway’s most important destinations. Since its launch in October 2022 with two flights per week, there has been a growing demand from our valued passengers to travel to this destination. Accordingly, Kuwait Airways increased the number of flights by three flights per week operated on the Airbus A330-800. Moreover, Kuala Lumpur also distinguishes itself as a suitable destination for holidays and is considered the cultural, financial, and economic hub of Malaysia and the Far East,” said Maen Razouqi.
Kuwait Airways in recent years embarked on a fleet renewal, replacing older-generation aircraft with new-technology models including the A320neo and A330neo family of aircraft.
The Kuwaiti flag carrier also has a Boeing 777-300ER fleet, including first class suites.
Kuwait Airways currently flies four A330-800neo aircraft and is due to take delivery of seven slightly larger A330-900neos.
The A330-800neo is extremely rare.
There are currently just seven of them in operation – four with Kuwait Airways, two with Uganda Airlines and one with Air Greenland.
Earlier this month, Kuwait Airways flew to New York’s Kennedy Airport with the A330-800neo for the first time, replacing a 777-300ER. This 13-hour flight set the record for the longest commercial A330-800neo service to date.
Kuwait Airways’ A330-800neos come in a two-class configuration comprising 32 full flat business class seats and 203 economy class cabin seats in a 2-4-2 configuration.
