Early years

Wataniya Airways was formed as part of the Kuwait Government's liberalization of aviation services in 2005^[3] and was founded by Kuwaiti corporations that include corporate giant Kipco which owns majority shares in the company. The airline launched a public offering of 350 million shares in January 2006, the equivalent of 70% of its capital of KWD50 million (US$188 million), and listed its shares on the Kuwait Stock Exchange by the end of 2008.^[4] Wataniya Airways' visual identity was unveiled to the public in May 2008. The tail fin of Wataniya Airways' aircraft was purple, and featured the internationally known symbol of Kuwait—the Kuwait Towers.^[5] Wataniya Airways' A320 aircraft has a dual-cabin configuration composed of Business and Economy sections.^[6]

Due to overcapacity on some flights, the airline decided in December 2010 to reduce operation, park three aircraft and lay off some employees.^[7] On 16 March 2011, Wataniya Airways ceased all its operations because of financial difficulties and began discussions with its shareholders to determine the future of the company.^[8]

Restart of operations

In August 2016, it was announced that the airline is considering resuming services. The decision to restart flights follows the company's settlement of debt talks with Kuwait Airways’ Kuwait Aviation Services Company. The carrier's legal claims with Kuwait's Aviation Lease and Finance Company (ALAFCO) are still under review in Kuwaiti court. Initial 17 destinations were mentioned as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Iran and Iraq. In the second year, destinations in Lebanon, Jordan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland and Spain were to be started.^[9]

Wataniya re-received its air operator certificate (AOC) on 19 June 2017.^[10] In July 2017, it was announced that the airline would restart operations from Kuwait International Airport to 3 destinations, Baku, Tbilisi and Sarajevo. The airline also announced 10 other new destinations will be added after the airline has completely begun operations.^[11][12]

In November 2017, it was announced the airline had placed an order with Airbus for 25 A320neo aircraft.^[13] In July 2018, Golden Falcon Aviation, the exclusive aircraft provider of Wataniya Airways, confirmed the order for 25 Airbus A320neo family aircraft.^[14] In July 2018, at the Farnborough Air Show the airline announced it had placed an order with Embraer for 10 Embraer E195-E2 with options for 10 additional aircraft. The aircraft were due to begin being delivered in 2020, these aircraft would have a business and economy class and be the launch customer of the staggered seat business class offered by Embraer.^[15]

Second grounding

In August 2018, the airline was warned to be shut down by Kuwaiti authorities over insufficient reliability of operations stating frequent delays and cancellations.^[16]

In September 2018, Wataniya Airways announced it would terminate the ACMI contract with Olympus Airways which operated two Airbus A320 series aircraft for them.^[17] This left the airline with only one aircraft available, which additionally is grounded since several weeks due to engine issues.^[18] On 3 September 2018, the airline suspended all operations until further notice.^[19] On 7 September 2018, the Kuwaiti authorities suspended the airline's operational license for three months.^[20]

Wataniya's AOC was revoked in December 2018 putting the carrier out of business again.