Press conference announces the world's 5-Star airline as the sponsor of KidZania Kuwait's airport and airplane activities

KUWAIT, April 8, 2013

KidZania Kuwait officially announces its partnership with Qatar Airways, one of the world's fastest growing airlines, as the latest sponsor to join the children's city's interactive learning experience. In line with KidZania's award-winning approach to edutainment, Qatar Airways will sponsor both KidZania Kuwait's Airport counters and the Airplane establishment where children will gain insight to the exciting world of aviation through a real-life and immersive setting.

As kids enter KidZania Kuwait, Qatar Airways' airport counters will serve as the access point for gaining entrance into the child-centric city. Not only will the counters feature a 'check-in' process that reflects all the procedures familiar to commercial airport travellers, they will also include a security checkpoint for travellers entering the highly anticipated  destination. Checking-in will involve three main airline-related activities: ticketing, registering and boarding; this entry sequence will begin at the queuing area.

Along with the Airport counter, children will also be exposed to real-life aviation experiences within the Airplane establishment located inside the park. The Qatar Airways' branded airplane, located at the entrance of the park, is essential to the KidZania experience as it symbolises the journey children will embark on from Kuwait to KidZania. In the establishment, children will be given the opportunity to earn kidZos, KidZania's currency, as Pilots and Flight Attendants. As Pilots, children will learn about the cockpit, control panels, and how to take-off and land using state-of-the-art flight simulators. Flight Attendants will assist passengers (children and parents), inform them about safety procedures, and serve food and beverages. The interior of the Airplane establishment will be a representation of Qatar Airways' luxurious Boeing 777 cabin setting and in-flight service.

"We are thrilled to have Qatar Airways, one of the world's fastest growing airline, as the sponsor of KidZania Kuwait's counter and airplane activities," commented Fernando Medroa, Vice President of Leisure and Entertainment at M.H. Alshaya which operates KidZania in Kuwait. "We are certain that with Qatar Airways on board, children will develop an understanding of various aviation roles by being immersed in a real-life aviation environment, provided by Qatar Airways' renowned state-of-the-art inflight experience."

Commenting on the partnership at the press conference, Qatar Airways Senior Vice President GCC, Levant, Iran, Iraq & Indian subcontinent, Fathi Al Shehab said: "Kuwait is one of our high-traffic Gulf routes, and we are excited to be part of this opportunity that will enable children in Kuwait to experience Qatar Airways first hand. Through KidZania's unique offering of education and entertainment, children fascinated with aviation will be able to live out their dream in an enjoyable and interactive learning environment. We are also looking forward to developing today's aviation enthusiasts to become tomorrow's aviators, all the while helping them build a strong bond with our airline."

At the press event, journalists and guests were greeted by KidZania's Rightskeepers: Urbano, Vita, Bache, Chika and Beebop, who embody KidZania's fundamental rights and values. Attendees were also offered a warm welcome by Qatar Airways' cabin crew.

Designed to educate and inspire children up to 14-years-old, KidZania Kuwait will help budding youth learn about life in a fun and engaging way by offering a kid-sized city experience, all in a safe and self-contained 7,000 square metre scaled-down city.  Children will be able to choose from up to 78 exciting roles and 100 engaging activities - all reflecting real life professions and businesses such as being a police officer, doctor, journalist or a shopkeeper.

KidZania Kuwait is expected to open its doors soon at The Mall - The Avenues.

-Ends-

About KidZania:
Much more than a children's museum or family entertainment centre, KidZania takes interactive entertainment and learning to an entirely new level by combining role playing with real life. KidZania creates a children-centric city experience designed to educate and inspire 4 to 14-year olds - from arriving at the airport, to visiting a city centre to exploring the city streets. We replicate the real world in a safe and self-contained over 7,000 square meter children-sized city. As in the real world, children choose activities - such as being a police officer, doctor, journalist or a shopkeeper - and earn money which they can then spend or save. KidZania operates just like a real city complete with buildings, paved streets, vehicles, a functioning economy and recognizable destinations in the form of "establishments" sponsored and branded by leading multi-national and local brands. The facilities are designed to educate through experience, fostering the development of life skills, but from a children perspective - it's all about fun.

KidZania, Inc., headquartered in Mexico, is privately held. This award-winning concept is recognized globally for its unique blend of entertainment and education for children. The first KidZania opened in Mexico City in 1999. There are ten other locations including, Monterrey (Mexico); Tokyo, Jakarta, Koshien, Lisbon, Dubai, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Cuicuilco (Mexico) and Santiago (Chile). To date, more than 20 million kids and parents have visited the facilities globally. The trajectory continues with 10 facilities in development, including locations in Jeddah, Bangkok, São Paulo, Moscow, Mumbai, Istanbul, Cairo, London and the United States.

KidZania Kuwait is a (7,000 square meter) facility, located in The Mall - The Avenues.

For more information on KidZania Kuwait, visit www.kuwait.kidzania.com, www.facebook.com/KidZaniaKuwait, www.twitter.com/KidZaniaKuwait, www.instagram.com/KidZaniaKuwait, www.youtube.com/KidZaniaKuwait or contact kz.marketing@alshaya.com.

About Qatar Airways:
One of the world's fastest growing airlines, Qatar Airways has seen rapid growth in just 16 years of operations, currently flying a modern fleet of 122 aircraft to 125 key business and leisure destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America. The airline currently  currently has orders worth over US$50 billion for more than 250 aircraft, including Boeing 787s, 777s, Airbus A350s, A380s and A320 Family of aircraft. In addition to winning Skytrax's prestigious Airline of the Year 2011 and 2012, Qatar Airways was named Best Airline in the Middle East for the seventh year in a row, and its Premium Terminal at Doha International Airport was named Best Premium Service Airport for the second consecutive year in 2012. Skytrax is the only global independent passenger survey monitoring airline standards and is considered the ultimate benchmark for excellence in the airline industry. In October 2012, Qatar Airways became the first of the major Gulf carriers to officially join a global alliance having been invited into the oneworld group. For more information, visit www.qatarairways.com.

FOR QATAR AIRWAYS CORPORATE IMAGES VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE:
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For further information
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 44302072, Fax: +974 44302069
E-mail: qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa
Website: www.qatarairways.com

© Press Release 2013