Wataniya Airways, the region’s new service airline, has completed its tough recruitment procedures for appointing the pilots and cabin crew it requires, for the launch of its operations in 2009.

A total of 15 pilots and 59 cabin crew members have now been recruited with staff joining the airline from countries including Kuwait, USA, Canada, Morocco, Lebanon, UAE, South Africa, Peru, Spain, Poland, Thailand and the Philippines.

The recruitment strategy adopted focuses on new acceptance criteria, many of which are being applied for the first time in the Middle East, said a statement.

“All of our recruitment processes comply with the highest international standards, but we have gone the extra mile with all of our candidates who have undergone stringent testing and training processes for both complying with all possible safety procedures and to fit with our business model focused on providing a premium service both in the air and on the ground,” stated Wataniya Airways chief operating officer, Captain Adel Al-Barjas.-TradeArabia News Service