Kuwait Projects Company (Kipco) formallyannounced on 22 July the establishment of a new private business jet airline. The announcement follows the further opening up by the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation of air space to commercial flights.

Called United Aviation(UA), the new carrier is 98 per cent owned by Kipco; private local investors hold the remainder. The airline will initially operate with a Brazilian-made Embraer 135 Legacy jet offering 14 seats, but plans to acquire a second similar aircraft by the end of 2003. UA will offer charter services to Asia, Europe and the region.

The 135 jet is powered by two AE3007 engines manufactured by the UK's Rolls Royce and is equipped with avionics systems manufactured by the US' Honeywell.

The setting up of private air carriers is gaining ground in the region. In early May, plans were announced for the establishment of menaJet, a regional carrier to be owned jointly by Bahrain-based Gulf Finance Houseand the Al-Zamil Groupof Saudi Arabia (MEED 9:5:03). To be based at Sharjah International Airport, the airline is due to start commercial services in December utilising two A320 aircraft from the European consortium Airbus Industrie(MEED 16:5:03).