KUWAIT: Kuwait  Airways Corporation (KAC) was previously considered one of the finest airlines in the world. After the invasion by Iraq in 1990, however, its position fell. The fleet has since decreased in size and the airplanes are now old and in need of maintenance.

Further, several recent incidents involving KAC flights and videos have spread on the internet, in which one flight was described as the 'Horror Flight'. Allegedly operating airplanes without necessary maintenance has been labeled as dangerous for passengers and was criticized by MPs and other officials.These incidents have harmed the reputation of KAC and caused more losses for the Corporation, as passengers are wary about flying with the airline."We were planning to go for Umrah in Saudi Arabia during the first week of the holy month of Ramadan. This trip was organized by the oil company where my husband works, which was dealing with KAC. And after the repeated incidents, when my husband was told we would fly with KAC, he canceled our Umrah trip. I would rather go on any other airlines than risking my family's lives. I know one of my friends who also canceled her flight with KAC after the recent incidents and she booked with another airline," 45 years old Manal told the Kuwait Times.On the other hand, the news about these incidents and problems at KAC did not alter the opinion of other passengers.

"My son is flying on KAC tomorrow and I will be flying after two weeks, and we didn't change our flights. Also, my wife left last week for Cairo on KAC and she arrived safely. I believe in fate and if something bad is going to happen, it will happen anyway on any flight with any airlines. I have flown with Kuwait Airways for many years and I was always satisfied, so I'm not willing to change now. Besides, I have chosen KAC since the price was good and better than many other airlines," stressed 47- year-old Husam.Husam says he is an optimist and believes that negligence at KAC will not continue. "I think they will be more strict in applying rules and maintenance.Negligence in maintenance was one of the main reasons for KAC's failure. Also, I heard there was harm caused by another airline seeking to destroy KAC. Furthermore, the Wasta and governmental ticket also negatively affected it," explained Husam.From his side, Rajab Al-Rifai, Head of the Union of Civil Aviation, says that KAC's situation is very bad and could become worse.

"The KAC fleet consists of 17 airplanes only, and five of them are out of service. Officials are not doing their proper work and the Minister of Communication, as well, is not solving the problems. We previously complained that there was corruption at KAC, and the minister didn't react or open an investigation into this issue," he pointed out.According to Al-Rifai, the failure of KAC is just an example of the deterioration found in the entire country. "The general situation is going from bad to worse. The head officials at KAC who didn't work to improve the Corporation and are useless should be terminated, but the government is giving them expensive retirement plans and bonuses just to leave their posts. I think they should be forced to leave, judged by their mistakes and negligence".By Nawara Fattahova, Staff Writer