KUWAIT: Kuwait Airways Corporation (KAC) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Dutch Personal Air Land Vehicle (PAL-V) flying cars manufacturing company, according to which KAC will provide maintenance services for the flying vehicle in the Gulf and the Middle East.

The memo was signed by KAC Deputy CEO Abdul Halim Zaidan and PAL-V CEO Robert Dingemanse, in a ceremony that was also attended by KAC Board Chairman Yousif Abdul Hameed Al-Jassem, the Netherlands Ambassador to Kuwait Frans Potuyt, KAC CEO Kamel Al-Awadhi, manager of the regional business center in Dubai Abdullah Al-Enezi, PAL-V's Deputy CEO in the Middle East Khalil Malaeb,

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Potuyt expressed his happiness and hopes that the agreement would successfully benefit both sides. Potuyt also stressed that the agreement would cement both countries' economic, political and other relations. Meanwhile, Awadhi said that the MoU aims at providing KAC clients with various services, and to highlight KAC's role in utilizing the high skills of its engineering and technical staff to provide aircraft maintenance operations for both local and international airlines.

Also speaking on the occasion, Dingemanse stressed that the MoU is 'historic' in the field of aviation, and marks the start of long term cooperation between both companies. Notably, the flying car will be on sale by 2021. It can easily be turned into an aircraft when needed, and can be used by state bodies such as the military, the national guards, firemen, paramedics as well as in the private sector. PAL-V is a two-seater with a maximum speed of 170 k/h using the same jet fuel used in normal planes. It needs a 180-meter-long runaway to take off and only a 30-meter-long runway to land. It can take off from roads and fly at a 10,000-feet altitude.