United Airlines today announced that it has plans to offer customers three new weekly flights* from Kuwait City to Washington D.C., adding the Middle East region to its strong global network. Pending foreign government approval, United plans to begin service in late October 2006 and will be the only U.S. airline to offer nonstop service between Kuwait and the United States.

Customers will be able to make reservations beginning Saturday 27 May 2006.

“Launching service to Kuwait further demonstrates our commitment to expanding our global network, bringing our passenger and cargo customers closer to the world’s key economic centres,” says John Tague, United’s Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. “Our business and cargo customers will soon have direct access into the Middle East where there is strong demand from the petroleum, energy and shipping industries.”

The proposed flight schedule between Kuwait City and Washington D.C. will be as follows: Schedule Depart Arrive Kuwait City to Washington-Dulles 12:35 a.m. 6:27 a.m. departs Mon., Thu., Sat. Washington-Dulles to Kuwait City 9:56 p.m 5:55 p.m. (the following day) departs Tue., Thu., Sat.

All routes and frequencies are subject to change.

United plans to operate a combined passenger and cargo service between Kuwait and United States using a Boeing-777 aircraft configured with 10 United First Suite seats, 45 United Business seats and 198 United Economy class seats, including 84 Economy Plus seats.

The new route is expected to serve as an important cargo access point into the Middle East, due to the region’s high demand for oil and gas equipment and perishables. Mail is also expected to represent a significant amount of volume on these flights.

United has had a long-standing presence in Kuwait through its partnership with Star Alliance partner, Lufthansa. United’s global network will now be enhanced through its proposed nonstop service, which will provide travellers and shippers with convenient connections to more than 90 destinations via its Washington-Dulles hub.
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