Today, the Middle East is one of the world’s fastest growing commercial airplane markets, and its countries’ defense needs are rapidly expanding. Boeing values its partnerships in the region and is committed to building on those relationships for mutual benefit into the future.
Boeing shares a long-standing relationship with Kuwait, which is home to Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways.
For more than 50 years, Boeing has partnered with Kuwait, providing aircraft to meet both the commercial and military needs of the country. Boeing is proud of these relationships and remains committed to a future of meeting the needs of commercial aviation while supporting the country’s defense requirements. The company currently has more than 45 employees based in Kuwait who are providing service support and training.
Kuljit Ghata-Aura was appointed president of Boeing Middle East, North Africa and Turkey in September 2021. He is responsible for coordinating all companywide activities in the region and developing and implementing country and regional strategies. Ghata- Aura is based in Dubai, UAE.
In 2021, Boeing appointed Musaed AlHawli as Managing Director for Kuwait. Based in Kuwait, AlHawli is responsible for implementation of the company's growth and productivity strategy.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
The Middle East is an important market for commercial aviation and one of the fastest growing areas in the world. The region is uniquely suited as a global transport hub, with 80 percent of the world’s population within an eight-hour flight. The expansion of air travel has assisted economic development within the region and improved economic and social ties as well.
Boeing's history in Kuwait began in 1968 when the Kuwait Airways Company (KAC) took delivery of three 707 airliners. Since then, the airline has operated almost every type of commercial airplane produced by Boeing to provide Kuwait citizens with access to North America, Europe, Asia and India. In December 2014, Kuwait Airways finalized an order for 10 777-300ERs (Extended Range), the first of which was delivered in October 2016. The tenth aircraft, featuring four seating classes, was delivered on August 26, 2017. The 777’s unique combination of superior range, outstanding fuel efficiency and passenger-preferred comfort has created long-range success for carriers around the world.
Kuwait is also home to the Aviation Lease and Finance Company KSCC (ALAFCO), a global sharia-compliant commercial airplane leasing company. Founded in 1992 and co-owned by Kuwait Finance House and Kuwait Airways, ALAFCO provides commercial airplanes to regional carriers as well as airlines within Russia, Asia and India. ALAFCO has a portfolio of 28 Boeing aircraft and a backlog of 40 737 MAXs.
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS) with Kuwait began when the Kuwaiti Air Force (KAF) ordered A-4KU Skyhawks from the Boeing-heritage company McDonnell Douglas.
Boeing's relationship with KAF has strengthened over the decades. Among Kuwait's key defense platforms include the AH-64 Apaches, F/A-18 Super Hornets, C-17s, and Harpoons.
Boeing's commitment to Kuwait is underscored by its sustainment and training support, with dedicated Apache support personnel, F/A-18 instructor pilots, and C-17 field service representatives ensuring the mission readiness to meet Kuwait’s defense and security needs.
Boeing Global Services
Global Services currently provides sustainment support for Kuwait’s AH-64D Apache helicopters and will provide sustainment solutions for 28 F/A-18 Super Hornets in 2023.
Boeing F/A-18 instructor pilots are in Kuwait to train the KAF, classic Hornet pilots, and further training is scheduled to take place in the U.S. in 2023.
KAF and the Ministry of Defense have also partnered with Boeing as a subcontractor to offer electronic maintenance and logistics support services (GOLDesp). Global Services also provides all maintenance and support— including field services engineers—for Kuwait’s two C-17 Globemaster III airlifters.
Boeing Capital Corporation
As a wholly owned Boeing subsidiary, Boeing Capital Corporation creates financing solutions for customers purchasing the company’s commercial airplane and defense products. As the company’s investment bank, it works closely with third-party financing sources that provide nearly all of the financing support required by Boeing customers. Boeing Capital also manages the company’s $3.5 billion portfolio of commercial jetliners.
Boeing Capital is continually strengthening its presence in the region, which is recognized as a high-growth area for commercial aviation with increasing demand for aviation financing. It regularly organizes events in the Middle East that are designed to engage the region’s finance community, and its Middle East aircraft financier and investor conference has become an annual event.
In 2015, Boeing Capital appointed Ahsen Rajput to the position of deputy managing director for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region. Rajput is based in Abu Dhabi and is Boeing Capital’s first local hire in the region.
Boeing Capital is continuing to explore opportunities for Islamic finance in the aviation sector and the possibility of including aircraft finance in the Islamic sukuk, or bond market, in which an aircraft finance portfolio would be secured by an instrument known as the Enhanced Equipment Trust Certificate.