KUWAIT CITY, May 6: Travelers flying to and from Kuwait have recently faced long waits, outdated terminals, and limited flight options, especially compared to major aviation hubs like Dubai and Doha. According to aviation experts, these issues aren't just a result of bad luck but are symptomatic of deeper, structural problems within Kuwait's aviation industry.

Last week, Kuwait’s national carrier, Kuwait Airways, announced new leadership following the dismissal of CEO Ahmad al-Kreebani. His departure came amid the withdrawal of 14 major international airlines from Kuwait’s airport network, even as these carriers continue to expand or maintain routes to other regional airports. Notably, British Airways ended its daily flights to Kuwait in March after more than 60 years of service, following similar moves by Lufthansa and KLM in recent months.

Saj Ahmad, Chief Analyst at StrategicAero Research, pointed out that Kuwait’s aviation sector struggles to offer compelling reasons for international airlines to continue operating in the country. “Kuwait Airways is not a real competitor to giants like Emirates, Etihad, or Qatar Airways. There’s little reason to transit or serve the country, as it doesn’t have the population, demand, or connectivity of other Gulf airports,” he explained.

Experts argue that Kuwait’s aviation sector, which should be a strategic asset for national growth, has become bogged down by “institutional inertia, regulatory bottlenecks, and inconsistent leadership.” Linus Benjamin Bauer, Founder and Managing Director of Bauer Aviation Advisory, told Gulf News that the instability within Kuwait Airways is indicative of a broader issue affecting the country’s aviation industry.

“The recent dismissal of Kuwait Airways CEO Ahmad Al-Kreebani is just one example of the fragmentation and misalignment that hampers the industry. His removal, after just two years in the role, followed a critical intervention from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), citing multiple failures in safety standards and regulatory compliance,” Bauer noted.

Al-Kreebani’s dismissal is more than just a personnel change—it reflects ongoing governance issues at Kuwait Airways. Frequent leadership changes have disrupted operations and damaged trust with international airline partners. Analysts also point to tensions between the airline and government regulators, who seem to interfere with or oversee the airline’s operations too much. Furthermore, the airline’s board is seen as weak and lacking in independence and accountability.

Another issue facing the Kuwaiti aviation industry is the lack of coordination between Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways, the two major carriers in the country. Operating under fundamentally different business models—state-owned legacy carrier vs. private low-cost carrier—the two airlines often compete for limited market space rather than complementing each other.

Bauer emphasized that “there is no integrated national aviation strategy guiding growth or improving connectivity, leading to a fragmented market where both airlines operate in silos.”

Kuwait’s aviation infrastructure is also in disarray. The long-delayed Terminal 2 project remains over budget and politically sensitive, with unresolved issues regarding management and operational control. Meanwhile, Jazeera Airways, in an attempt to bypass public sector delays, built its own terminal, highlighting the dysfunction of national infrastructure planning.

The recent exodus of international carriers from Kuwait International Airport is a direct result of the deteriorating operational and strategic environment. Key factors driving this trend include:

Kuwait’s aviation industry faces multiple challenges, from regulatory inefficiencies and poor infrastructure to a lack of coordination between its two main carriers. Without clear leadership and a unified strategy, Kuwait’s position as a key player in regional and international aviation remains uncertain. As neighboring countries modernize their aviation sectors and attract international airlines, Kuwait will need to address these fundamental issues or risk falling further behind.