Gulf Air Launches "Irtiqa" Program to Prepare Future Leaders in Kuwait's Aviation Sector - Sarmad
Jazeera Airways, the leading low-cost carrier in Kuwait, launched today the “Irtiqa” program to develop managerial competencies and prepare future leaders for Kuwait’s aviation sector, supporting Kuwait Vision 2035. The program aims to attract promising Kuwaiti youth, qualify them, and develop them to become part of the next generation of leaders in the aviation industry.
“Irtiqa” represents a long-term investment in Kuwaiti national talent and embodies Jazeera Airways’ commitment to contributing to the continued development of the country’s aviation sector. As a Kuwaiti airline with ambitious growth plans, Jazeera Airways’ focus extends beyond expanding its fleet and destination network to include developing professional competencies and preparing future leaders capable of driving this growth.
By 2035, Jazeera Airways aims to serve 15 million passengers annually across more than 150 destinations. Achieving such growth requires building a strong base of qualified and experienced professionals across various areas of aviation operations, from commercial affairs and operations to finance, technology, customer experience, and other critical functions.
The “Irtiqa” program has been designed to build these competencies from within Kuwait. Selected new Kuwaiti graduates will embark on an intensive 18- to 24-month development journey that combines practical experience, structured training, professional mentoring, rotations across different departments and specialties, and continuous performance evaluation. The program enables participants to gain direct exposure to airline operations while developing the leadership, commercial, and operational skills necessary to assume greater responsibilities as Jazeera Airways grows.
Prathan Pasupathy, CEO of Jazeera Airways, said: “We are proud at Jazeera Airways to be a Kuwaiti airline that has continued its growth for over two decades and is keen to support the ambitions of Kuwait Vision 2035. The next phase of our growth will require more than just adding new aircraft and destinations; it demands talented, qualified, and experienced personnel who understand our business and are ready to lead it in the future.”
He added: “Therefore, the ‘Irtiqa’ program is an investment not only in the future of Jazeera Airways but also in the future of Kuwait’s aviation sector. We aim to give ambitious Kuwaiti youth the opportunity to gain close exposure to the aviation industry, acquire valuable practical experience, and develop their capabilities to become confident and competent leaders. As Jazeera Airways grows, we want Kuwaiti talent to grow with us, take on greater responsibilities, and contribute to enhancing Kuwait’s position on the regional and global aviation map.”
The “Irtiqa” program provides graduates with a structured pathway toward future leadership roles, combining on-the-job and off-the-job training, job rotations across departments, and multi-disciplinary experience in various areas of the aviation sector. Trainees will also participate in quarterly business projects, attend operational meetings, utilize e-learning resources, and work closely with dedicated professional mentors.
For her part, Jenny Sethi, Head of Human Resources at Jazeera Airways, said: “At Jazeera Airways, we believe that our future rests on the talent we attract to our company today. We consider the development of Kuwaiti talent an essential part of our growth plans and our responsibility as a national airline. The ‘Irtiqa’ program aims to identify outstanding Kuwaiti youth at the beginning of their careers and invest in their potential by providing them with the expertise, opportunities, and support they need to develop into future leaders in the aviation sector. As Jazeera Airways continues to expand, developing talent from within the company will be a key factor in our success. Through ‘Irtiqa,’ we provide a platform for Kuwaiti youth to grow with Jazeera Airways, take on greater responsibilities, and actively participate in shaping the future of our company and the aviation sector in Kuwait.”
Each trainee will follow an individual professional and personal development plan divided into four organized phases, featuring clear objectives, defined milestones, and development requirements throughout the program. Participants’ progress will be assessed regularly based on their performance, project achievements, and skill development, ensuring their readiness to assume increasing levels of responsibility.
Through the “Irtiqa” program, Jazeera Airways is building promising career paths for Kuwaiti youth. By investing in national talent today, the company contributes to empowering and preparing the next generation of leaders in Kuwait’s aviation sector.
