Wataniya Airways was born as part of the Kuwait Government's liberalization of aviation services in 2005. An IPO in 2006 laid the solid financial foundations for the planning and creation of our airline.

The development of a quality product and service takes time and at Wataniya airways we have the right people, product and business model for success.

From the moment our guests arrive at The Sheikh Saad Terminal, they will experience something unique. They will enjoy personalized check-in services, fast-track immigration procedures and exclusive lounges serving all our guests that will make the on the ground experience alone something quite out of the ordinary.

Once in the air, from the onboard welcome of our staff to a unique array of in-flight entertainment and ease of doing business, the most comfortable seats and selection of specially prepared food - Wataniya Airways guarantees a flying experience like no other.

Board of Directors

• Abdul Salam Mohamed Ahmed Al Bahar
  Chairman & Managing Director
  Mr. Al-Bahar joined Wataniya Airways’ board in 2006 and became the company’s Chairman and Managing Director in 2007. He is a board member of Burgan Bank. Before joining Wataniya Airways Mr. Al-Bahar was a Board member of several companies including Tamdeen Real Estate Company, Wataniya Telecom, Bank of Bahrain and the Middle East, and Tunis International Bank. He was also Chairman of Kuwait Catering Company. Prior to that he spent years as part of KIPCO’s executive management team specializing in corporate finance. Mr. Al-Bahar holds a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

• Emad Jawad Bukhamseen
  Vice Chairman

• Sheikh/ Naif Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah
  Member

• Mubarak Saoud Abdul Aziz Al Beshara
  Member

• Hamad Mohamed Al Wazzan
  Member

• Reham Fouad Mohamed Al Ghanim
  Member

• Salem Abdul Reda Safar
  Member
  

Executive Team

• George Cooper - Chief Executive Officer
  Mr. Cooper joined Wataniya Airways in 2008 as the company’s Chief Executive Officer bringing with him over 30 years of experience in the airline industry. Prior to joining Wataniya Airways, Mr. Cooper was the CEO of OnAir, a Swiss-based airline communication services provider founded by Airbus and SITA. He spent 26 years with British Airways where he started his career as a pilot. He held several positions at BA where he was the Managing Director for its UK Regional business, Director UK & Africa, and Director Europe.
• Lee Shave - Chief Commercial Officer
  Mr. Shave joined Wataniya Airways in 2010 as the Chief Commercial Officer, bringing with him 20 years of experience in the aviation industry. Throughout his career, Mr. Shave has held several marketing, sales and commercial positions in some of the world's most prestigious airlines. Prior to joining Wataniya Airways he held the position of Vice President Marketing and Sales at Gulf Air after time at Qatar Airways as Commercial Director. Mr. Shave started his aviation career in 1991 at British Airways where he worked for several years before joining Swiss Air where he held the position of Executive Vice-President Marketing and Sales and Product.  
• Yousef Elzaro, MBA- Chief Financial Officer 
  Mr. Elzaro joined Wataniya Airways in 2008. Prior to that he was a Financial Controller at Kuwait Airways Corporation for three years. Elzaro also was the Director of Finance North America with Royal Jordanian Airlines where he spent 12 years of service. He brings an experience of over 16 years of service in the airline industry including USA, Canada, and the Middle East.
• Yusuf Dashti - Legal Director
  Yusuf Dashti joined Wataniya Airways in August, 2009 as Legal Director & Board Secretary.  Mr Dashti has substantial in-house legal experience in contracts, aviation and commercial law.  During his career he has held a number of senior legal roles, including Acting General Counsel with Gulf Air, Legal Counselor at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (Bahrain) and Counselor for Legal and Foreign Trade Relations, handling all World Trade Organization (WTO) and companies affairs legal issues. Mr Dashti holds law degrees from University of Nottingham and Texas State University, and professional diplomas from the WTO and the IATA Training Institute.
• Michael Etheridge - Guest Services Director
  Airline industry professional with 30 years experience with Pan American, Emirates and Delta Airlines including short and long term assignments in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle-East.  These experiences include international hub operations, outstation, airline operations, product development and project management.  Prior to joining KNA in May 2008 Mr. Ethridge was providing senior level consulting services to two start-up and Hawaiian Airlines.  Mr. Ethridge is a Multi Engine Commercial Pilot and holds an Airline Transport Rating with a BSC International Economics and MBA in Economics & Finance.
• Dr. Mohammad Ameen Ahmad - Human Resources Director
  Mohammad, 53, is a veteran Human Resources professional. With more than 29 years of experience, he spent 2 years in Kuwait Telecommunication Co (VIVA) as CHRO and 12 years in EQUATE  Petrochemical Co as HR Business Partner. His role was effective participation in establishing and managing HR for those regional companies, and watched them grow into well-established and highly accredited Companies. He had participated also in the startup of the Public Authority for Assessment of Compensation (PAAC) and lead the HR Department in Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). He has also considerable experience in Strategic Management and Planning. He is a member of the American Business Council Of Kuwait (ABC-K). Notably, Mohammad holds a PhD in Management Strategic Planning, The American University in London (AUL), UK, a Master Degree in Public Administration and Government Policies, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA and a B.Sc. Degree in Geology, Kuwait University.