Kuwait, 06 February 2013: British Airways has increased summer capacity on its Kuwait route by more than 20 per cent as part of the airline's ongoing investment in the country and the Middle East as a whole.

The increase in capacity has been made possible due to the replacement of the aircraft used on the route from a Boeing 777, to a larger Boeing 747.

Paolo De Renzis, area commercial manager, Middle East and Central Asia, said: "Kuwait remains a key market for British Airways, where we have seen solid growth. We are always looking for ways to further enhance our offering to and from Kuwait and so we are delighted to be able to grow our operations here further with greater summer capacity."

The announcement comes in light of British Airways' successful year in the Middle East in 2012 and the airline's upcoming growth plans for the region in 2013.

"2012 was a big year for British Airways globally, and in the Middle East especially, where we celebrated 80 years of flying to the region," De Renzis said. "The current winter season has been one of our best and we have invested in our Middle East routes as a result. This is one of the most prosperous regions in the world and has a healthy state of finances, which makes it an attractive destination for business and leisure travellers. This is reflected in the increased demand for travel to the Middle East, to which we have responded with an increase in our flights and capacity to the region.

 "It is not difficult to see why the Middle East is an important market for British Airways and forms a major part of our growth strategy. In 2013 we are committed to building on our 80-year heritage here and will be investing even more in the region."

British Airways recently increased capacity on its Dubai service by using a larger aircraft for the route, and also increased capacity on its Riyadh route by more than 1,000 seats a week.

In addition to increasing capacity on its flights to and from Kuwait by 21 per cent, from the start of the summer 2013 season, British Airways' Jeddah service will also become daily. Furthermore, those travelling on routes served by British Airways' 777 aircraft - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Muscat, Doha and Bahrain - will notice the complete refurbishment of all four cabins. The multi-million pound refurbishment, which will be completed in summer 2013, will feature more comfortable seats, brighter, more contemporary cabins and bigger, high-resolution widescreens featuring the latest in-flight entertainment system.

Touching on British Airways' global growth, De Renzis said: "Beyond the Middle East, 2013 holds many exciting developments for British Airways' global network, including the arrival of nine new aircraft. We have also already announced new flights from London Heathrow to a range of destinations, from Ibiza to Chengdu in China."

British Airways is two years into a five-year, £5bn investment in new aircraft, smarter cabins, elegant lounges and new technologies to make life more comfortable in the air and on the ground.  British Airways flies to more than 175 destinations from London. The full timetable is available at ba.com.

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About British Airways:

  • 2012 marked the airline's 80th anniversary of flying to the Middle East.

  • British Airways has a worldwide route network that covers more than 175 destinations in 75 countries.

  • The airline is one of the world's largest international airlines carrying approximately 36 million passengers around the world every year.

  • The airline offers a choice of four cabins on the majority of its longhaul services.

  • The airline is investing in new aircraft, new cabins, new technology and new routes.

  • British Airways operates the majority of flights from Terminal 5, its home at London Heathrow. This terminal is capable of handling 30 million customers a year and is the size of 50 football pitches.

  • British Airways is two years into a more than £5bn investment in new aircraft, smarter cabins, elegant lounges and new technologies to make life more comfortable in the air and on the ground.

For media enquiries, please contact the British Airways press office:
Amna Al Jarery /Action Kuwait
T: +965 2491 5616

© Press Release 2013