The carrier traces its history back to 1953,[nb 1] when Kuwait National Airways was formed by a group of Kuwaiti businessmen; initially, the government took a 50% interest.[3]:211[4] That year, a five-year management contract was signed with British International Airlines (BIA),[5] a BOAC subsidiary in Kuwait that operated charter flights and provided maintenance services.[4][6] Two Dakotas were bought,[3]:211 and operations started on 16 March 1954.[2] The carrier transported 8,966 passengers in its first year of operations.[7] In July 1955, the name Kuwait Airways was adopted.[8][nb 2] In May 1958,[2] a new contract for management and operation was signed, directly with BOAC this time.[9] BIA was taken over by Kuwait Airways in April 1959.[