Big blow for the European manufacturer. The company National Kuwait Airways announced on Monday its intention to purchase 31 new Airbus. The purchase amounts to six billion dollars (regarding 5.3 billion euros) and is part of a restructuring of an agreement concluded in 2014 with the European aeronautical giant.
The two parties reached the deal following difficult negotiations following investigations into allegations of bribes surrounding the 2014 deal which initially provided for the purchase of 25 Airbus planes and then increased to 28.
Stormy negotiations
“We have managed to agree on a major restructuring that will put Kuwait Airways in a much better position to succeed in the next 15 years,” the company’s director said. kuwaiti Ali Al-Dukhan at a press conference. The restructured agreement provides for the purchase of three new Airbuses and brings the total number of aircraft purchased to 31: 9 Airbus A320neo, six A321neo, three A321neo LR, four A330-800neo, seven A330-900neo and two A350-900.
“Actually I was skeptical regarding how to deal with Airbus mainly because of the rumors surrounding past deals with Kuwait Airways,” Ali Al-Dukhan said. “We had four months of serious and professional negotiations, which were stormy at times but were always held with respect and understanding of each other’s needs and wishes,” he said. for follow-up.
Suspicions of bribes
In 2014, the KAC ordered 15 Airbus 320neos and 10 Airbus-350s, the delivery of which started in 2019. In February 2020, a parliamentary committee was created to investigate alleged bribes, following payment by Airbus a record fine to avoid prosecution in a corruption case.
The allegations related to bribes paid by Airbus to secure the sale of 25 airliners to Kuwait Airways.
