Kuwait Airways’ “Transformation Strategy” continues with implementation of technology and consulting services from Amadeus
Innovative. Modern. Unique. Ambitious. These are some of the characteristics that Kuwait Airways is embracing as part of the national carrier’s five-year “Transformation Plan”.
Under the stewardship of Chairperson and CEO, Rasha Al Roumi, the Middle East’s first female airline CEO, Kuwait Airways has undertaken to implement a bold new strategy designed to revive the airline’s once pioneering legacy in regional aviation, with clear infrastructural changes and new technologies that will see it become the preferred airline linking Kuwait to the world, by 2021.
This transformation process was announced in September this year, followed by the launch of the new livery and branding in October. While the rebranding represents a clear visual change, Kuwait Airways’ management is keen to stress that the transformation is not just “cosmetic”.
With the help of the technology and business processes offered by Amadeus, Kuwait Airways is completely transforming its approach to business, in an effort to double its growth over the next five years.
It is to this end that, today, the airline is announcing its adoption of a complete suite of Altéa solutions including Revenue Management, e-Commerce, Loyalty Programs, Inventory, Reservation, Departure Control, Payments, as well as Mobile and Travel Intelligence.
This extensive portfolio will help the airline create more personalized travel experiences and adapt its offering to customer demand and preferences – in real-time.
Unique to the implementation of this project, Amadeus will be working throughout the Altéa implementation, to support Kuwait Airways with best practices and new business procedures, and to help ensure a cost-effective and timely upgrade from the existing (legacy) system.
In order to keep pace with the exponential growth of the aviation industry across the Gulf Region, Kuwait Airways’ comprehensive overhaul of many of its business processes will see the airline working its way back to being the dominant carrier in its home market with opportunities for further expansion in the years to come.
“Kuwait Airways is currently undergoing a wide-reaching program of change and this comprehensive transformation process must be driven by the mission to reassert our pioneering legacy in the region’s aviation industry. By working with Amadeus we are confident that the changes we are making will be the foundation blocks for Kuwait Airways’ success in the near and long-term future,” said Rasha Al Roumi, Chairperson & CEO of Kuwait Airways.
“With this partnership with Kuwait Airways, Amadeus is starting a new chapter not just as a technology provider, but as a business consultant as well. In addition to providing some of the best technology on the market, we want to help airlines reach their best results by sharing the experience and knowledge we’ve acquired through our 30 years in the airline business,” said Maher Koubaa, Vice President, Head of Airline Group, Middle East and Africa at Amadeus.
The implementation of the new business processes is estimated to be a six month project, with the “cut over” planned at the beginning of Q2 2017.
Kuwait Airways’ fleet of 22 aircraft currently consists of 7 x A320-200CEO (completed delivery Q2 2015), 5 x A330s (completed delivery Q4 2015), 4 x A340-300s, 3 x A330-200, 2 x Boeing 777-200s, 1 x Boeing 747-400.
Kuwait Airways is soon to receive the first of 10 Boeing 777-300ERs, with expected completion of delivery of the final aircraft in Q4 2017. Further additions to the fleet will include 15 A320neo’s (delivery to start in 2018) and 10 A350s.
