Kuwait back airborne as flights regain momentum

KUWAIT CITY, April 25: Kuwait Airways announced Saturday it will re-operate 35 flights from Kuwait International Airport (Terminal T4) to various destinations beginning Sunday. Acting CEO Abdulwahab Al-Shatti told KUNA that the initial destinations include Beirut, Riyadh, London, Istanbul, Dhaka, Mumbai, Kochi, Colombo, Delhi, Manila, Cairo, Jeddah, and Trivandrum. Al-Shatti added that Cairo flights will operate daily starting Sunday, while Beirut flights will operate twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays starting April 27. Riyadh flights will operate on Tuesdays and Fridays starting April 28. Jeddah flights will operate four times a week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays starting April 28, and London flights will operate three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays starting April 28. Colombo will have one weekly flight on Mondays starting April 27th, Istanbul on Wednesdays starting April 29th, and Delhi on Mondays starting April 28th. Kochi will have three weekly flights on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays starting April 27th, and Manila will have three weekly flights on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays starting tomorrow. Dhaka will have four weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays starting April 27th, and Mumbai will have two weekly flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting April 28th. Trivandrum will also have flights on Mondays and Fridays starting April 27th.

Al-Shatti added that other destination schedules will be announced after official approvals, adding that Kuwait Airways is fully prepared to operate efficiently and flexibly while maintaining continuity, safety, and quality standards. He thanked Kuwait Civil Aviation President Sheikh Humoud Mubarak Al- Sabah for his support, and praised Kuwait Airways employees for their dedication and professionalism during recent operations from Dammam Airport in Saudi Arabia. Al-Shatti also praised pilots on World Pilots’ Day (April 26), commending Kuwait Airways pilots for their professionalism, discipline, and commitment, which ensure flight safety and uphold high standards of efficiency, safety, and quality.

Kuwait Airways’ announcement came after the Public Authority for Civil Aviation declared the reopening of airspace at the airport last Thursday, following a “temporary and precautionary” closure since February 28 due to the regional situation and the Iranian attacks on Kuwait. Meanwhile, Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways announced on Friday it will reoperate 38 flights from T5 at Kuwait International Airport to numerous destinations. The Kuwaiti carrier’s announcement came just one day after the Public Authority for Civil Aviation had declared the resumption of flights, ending a “temporary and precautionary hiatus” since February 28 in the aftermath of the heinous Iranian aggressions on Kuwait.

Chief Executive Officer Barathan Pasupathi told KUNA that the initial destinations include Jeddah, Riyadh, Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Mumbai, Cairo, Kochi, New Delhi and Istanbul. He noted that the airline will operate daily trips to Cairo and Mumbai, flights to Jeddah on Monday and Thursday and Riyadh on Wednesday and Friday. In addition, there will be three flights to Amman on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday, four trips to Damacus on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, two to Beirut on Friday and Sunday, four to New Delhi on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, three to Kochi on Wednesday and Thursday and Saturday and four to Istanbul on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. As part of the ongoing preparations to enhance operational readiness and improve efficiency at airports, the Deputy Director General for Ports, Search, and Customs Investigation Affairs at the General Administration of Customs (GAC), Saleh Al-Omar, conducted an inspection tour of T4 terminal at Kuwait International Airport to review the final preparations before the resumption of operations.

The tour included monitoring the readiness of customs facilities, ensuring the integration of approved systems and procedures, and observing workflow and the smooth movement of passengers and goods to guarantee the highest standards of accuracy and speed. During the tour, Al-Omar received a detailed briefing from field officials on operational plans and coordination mechanisms among relevant entities within the airport. He emphasized the importance of adhering to customs procedures and implementing best international practices in inspection and monitoring. Al-Omar affirmed that this visit is part of a comprehensive plan aimed at enhancing the efficiency of customs operations at all ports of entry. He stressed the necessity of complete readiness and intensified efforts to ensure a smooth and secure operational launch that supports travel and trade and reflects the advanced state of the customs system. Kuwait International Airport will resume flight operations gradually starting Sunday, following a precautionary suspension imposed on February 28 amid regional security developments and Iranian drone attacks targeting key facilities.

The airport sustained damage following multiple drone attacks by Iran that targeted Terminal 1, the under-construction Terminal 2, radar systems, the new control tower, and fuel storage facilities, resulting in material losses and minor injuries. Initial flights operated by Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways will depart from Terminals T4 and T5, respectively, signaling the phased restoration of air traffic. The Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) implemented a series of technical and operational measures in coordination with international organizations to ensure the highest standards of safety and security. The precautionary closure of Kuwaiti airspace prevented casualties, while the Kuwaiti Armed Forces intercepted several drones before reaching their intended targets. Hours after the PACA announced a temporary and precautionary suspension of air traffic at Kuwait International Airport, a drone targeted T1 terminal, causing minor injuries among the workers and limited structural damage within the building.

A subsequent drone attack targeted the Terminal 2 project, causing significant material damage without reported injuries, prompting the immediate activation of emergency response plans. Flights were diverted to alternative airports, while authorities secured the site and began assessing the extent of the damage, confirming full control over the situation. His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al- Sabah visited the airport shortly after the incidents, accompanied by PACA President Sheikh Humoud Mubarak Al- Humoud Al-Sabah, to review response measures and recovery plans. The Prime Minister commended efforts and coordination among relevant authorities and stressed the importance of maintaining responsibility and readiness during that time. On March 8, a third drone strike targeted fuel tanks operated by the Kuwait Aviation Fueling Company (KAFCO), triggering a major fire that was contained by firefighting teams, with damage limited to material losses. Further inspection visits were conducted on March 11, during which the Prime Minister reviewed operational procedures, safety systems, and emergency preparedness measures at the PACA headquarters and fuel storage areas.

Additional drone attacks were recorded on March 12 and March 14, targeting airport facilities and radar systems, causing operational disruptions that required urgent technical intervention and system reinforcement. On March 17, Minister of Health Dr. Ahmad Al-Awadhi visited an injured security personnel member who sustained injuries while on duty at the airport. On March 22, the Civil Aviation Authority submitted an official complaint to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), documenting violations affecting Kuwait’s airspace sovereignty and civil aviation infrastructure, and the repercussions of the attacks that disrupted air traffic, suspension of flights, material losses, and endangering the safety of passengers and facilities. Three days later, another drone strike targeted a fuel tank, causing a large fire that resulted in significant material damage but no casualties. Emergency response teams continued efforts to contain fires, secure affected areas, and assess damages as part of coordinated national response operations.

On March 26, the Minister of Defense, Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, inspected Kuwait International Airport as part of the field follow-up on the impact of Iranian attacks on the fuel tanks, praising the firefighters’ efforts in controlling the fire that erupted in the tanks. First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah inspected the site of the fuel tank fire at Kuwait International Airport to review the progress and measures taken to control it. He emphasized strengthening preventive measures and enhancing coordination among concerned entities to ensure safety at vital facilities. On the same day, Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Iran’s Ambassador to Kuwait, Mohammad Toutounchi, for the third time and delivered a formal memo of protest condemning Iran’s continued attacks. His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al- Sabah later revisited the airport to review firefighting operations and assess damage to fuel storage facilities. During the visit, the Prime Minister conveyed the greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al- Hamad Al-Sabah, and their appreciation for the frontline personnel's valiant efforts and dedication to serving Kuwait.

On March 28, firefighting teams, supported by the army, National Guard, and oil sector units, brought a major fuel fire under control after 58 hours of continuous operations. That same day, another drone attack caused significant damage to radar systems, creating operational challenges that required immediate rehabilitation efforts. On April 1, an additional strike targeted a fuel storage facility, resulting in a large fire and extensive material damage, with no reported casualties. Following the unjustified attacks, the ICAO’s Council condemned the violations against the GCC countries and Jordan, and considered targeting civil aviation a violation of international law, and a threat to the safety of global air navigation, calling for an immediate halt to these acts. Despite ongoing threats on Kuwait’s International Airport and its vital facilities, Kuwait’s Army successfully intercepted and neutralized multiple drones before reaching its targets.

On April 15, PACA President Sheikh Humoud Al-Sabah met with European Union ambassadors to discuss the airports’ development following the Iranian attacks, the impact on the aviation sector and explore cooperation opportunities. In continued government follow-up, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah conducted an inspection visit last Sunday, reviewing airport readiness, including arrival and departure halls and technical support systems. He stressed the need for full coordination to ensure operational readiness in line with approved plans, praising national personnel for their efforts in restoring normal operations.

On Thursday, PACA President Sheikh Humoud Al-Sabah announced the reopening of Kuwaiti airspace, confirming that operations will resume under a phased and carefully structured plan. He stated that initial operations will cover selected destinations based on operational priorities, with continuous evaluation before expanding to full capacity as repairs are completed.

By Munif Naif Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff and Agencies