RAK Airways 'in no way closing' - new CEO

FLIGHT PATH: The new CEO of RAK Airways denied media reports on Sunday that the airline was closing down.

The new CEO of troubled carrier RAK Airways said on Sunday the airline was in “no way closing” following reports its operations and services had stopped.

Speaking exclusively to Arabian Business, Kristian Kirchheiner said the carrier was still operating charter flights after dropping scheduled services in late 2008.

RAK Airways’ chairman Sheikh Omar bin Saqr Al Qasimi was quoted earlier on Sunday by Business 24/7 as saying that scheduled flights had been suspended for commercial reasons. He also said there was no point keeping the airline in business, according to the newspaper.

But Kirchheiner, who joined RAK Airways on May 18, said that while commercial services have been suspended he was exploring all opportunities for the airline going forward.

“We are working on a plan for the future, which I can’t really disclose at this point in time, so the company is in no way closing,” he said.

“My job is to explore the possibilities for the company, and obviously we have looked at the positives and also the constraints. This situation is difficult but we will come up with a proposal and a plan within a month’s time.”

Kirchheiner declined to comment on what proposals were being considered for the airline, which suspended commercial flights in response to the financial crisis.

While scheduled services have been dropped, RAK Airways still operates charter flights on a wet lease basis to Hewa Bora Airlines in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The service is operated from Kinshasa to Paris, Brussels and Johannesburg, according to Kirchheiner.

A wet lease involves one airline providing a plane, all crew, maintenance and insurance to another.

The airline was established in 2006 to support Ras Al Khaimah’s economic development, according to its website.

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READERS' COMMENTS

RAK Airways
Posted by Samer, UAE on Wednesday 3 June 2009 at 14:21 UAE time


First of all, this CEO is well experienced , try to google his name and u`ll find that he was CEO for major airlines ; which is good point... i dont see contradiction between his statement and H.H statement but its matter of wording and out of text used by some media.
Secondly, I believe the issue here is more that one startup airline, its matter of one emirate devolopement and success, i totally agree with rak airways to hold there horses for while and come up with proper business plan so they achieve at least break even point, mind that secondary airport is always the best due to fast travel procedures - if u want to compare it with loooong Qs which surely encoutered by you at other Airports!
Wht i know that RAK airways is financially very well sound and this will support any future plans.
There is always place for new market, motivation of demand.........

Poor Reporting
Posted by James on Tuesday 2 June 2009 at 07:05 UAE time


What happened to checking facts? One of the two stories is incorrect and should not have been published. Arabian Business should have done due diligence and printed ONE story with the truth.

Make R.A.K a success story & the Airlines will follow.
Posted by Shehryar Iqbal, Dubai, UAE on Tuesday 2 June 2009 at 01:20 UAE time


R.A.K , especially the Al-Hamra village has been my favorite place in the U.A.E , mind you everytime i went to R.A.K i witnessed a lot of tourist from Germany , Italy and France. In 2005-06 R.A.K announced its first free hold project in Al-Hamra village which is still a desireable address , my point here is when there is going to be a infrastructure and further developements there will be more people interested to come and visit R.A.K . I am indicating towards having more resorts and openings which will lead to Economic climate which shall prosper with time and steady growth. R.A.K has tremendous potential, clean envirnoment, Long and shiny coast line all the it needs is a slight nod of approval and attention with flexible and sustainable growth plan. I personally love R.A.K and if anyone is wondering what i am talking about please try the Emirates road and you will be there in 50 minutes take left from the first round about you see which will take you to the al-hamra fort hotel , they have real nice restuarant have a quick lunch , drive around and you will probably agree with me . Good Luck R.A.K ....!!!!

CEO View
Posted by Salim AL Suwaidi, Sharjah, UAE on Monday 1 June 2009 at 20:35 UAE time


The CEO have a view which we wont shut down, but if the owner if RAK Airways cleaver I believe they should shut down, RAK Airport barely have traffics, and in this time, too many competitive against RAK Airways.
From Air Arabia FlyDubai EK and Etihad. So better close down since some of these mentioned companies are having hard time surviving

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