Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways Restore Full Operations at Kuwait International Airport

Key facts

• Kuwait Airways resumes flights to 13 additional destinations starting Sunday, May 3, bringing total restored routes to 29.
• Jazeera Airways fully resumes operations from Terminal 5 on May 3, after 57 days of suspended flights.
• Jazeera Airways operated over 1,500 flights, 9,000 bus transfers, and transported nearly 200,000 passengers during the suspension.
• Jazeera Airways used a temporary dual-country setup with a base in Saudi Arabia, including Al-Qaisumah and King Fahad International airports.
• Kuwait Airways' expanded network includes London, Paris, Dubai, Madrid, Milan, Bangkok, Istanbul, and other cities across Europe, Middle East, and Asia.
• Jazeera Airways CEO Barathan Pasupathi thanked PACA, Ministry of Interior, and Saudi Arabia for cooperation.
• Kuwait Airways acting CEO Abdulwahab Al Shatti said destinations were chosen based on market demand and passenger needs.
• to the 'Park and Fly' building four hours before departure for transfer to T5.

Two Airlines Resume Full Operations at Kuwait International Airport

Kuwait's aviation sector is returning to normalcy as both Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways announced the full resumption of operations from their respective terminals at Kuwait International Airport starting Sunday, May 3. Kuwait Airways, the national carrier, is expanding its network to 13 additional destinations in the second phase of its gradual return, bringing the total number of restored routes to 29. Jazeera Airways, the low-cost carrier, is fully returning to Terminal 5 after a 57-day suspension that forced it to operate from a temporary base in Saudi Arabia. The coordinated restart signals a significant step in restoring Kuwait's connectivity with regional and international markets after the airport's closure and subsequent phased reopening.

Kuwait Airways Adds 13 New Routes Across Three Continents

Kuwait Airways announced on Friday that it will resume flights from Terminal 4 to 13 additional destinations, effective Sunday, May 3. The move is part of the second phase of the airline's gradual return to full operations. Acting Chief Executive Abdulwahab Al Shatti said the expanded network will include major cities across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. The new destinations include London, Paris, Dubai, Madrid, Milan, Bangkok, Istanbul, Jeddah, Riyadh, Doha, Bahrain, and Cairo. The full list also extends to Beirut, Amman, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Islamabad, Dhaka, Manila, Colombo, Bangalore, Guangzhou, Ahmedabad, Sohag, and Casablanca. Al Shatti emphasized that the selection was based on market demand and passenger needs.

Jazeera Airways Returns to Terminal 5 After 57-Day Suspension

Jazeera Airways announced on Friday that it will fully resume operations from Terminal 5 at Kuwait International Airport starting Sunday, May 3, with daily flights operating from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Chief Executive Officer Barathan Pasupathi said the full resumption follows a partial restart of direct flights last week and marks the successful conclusion of 57 days of suspended operations. During that period, the airline operated a temporary dual-country setup with a base in Saudi Arabia. With all operations returning to T5, the airline will serve 27 destinations across its network, offering passengers a seamless travel experience. Pasupathi expressed appreciation to the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA), the Ministry of Interior, and other government authorities for their support, as well as to Saudi Arabia for its valuable cooperation.

Jazeera Airways' Temporary Saudi Base Handled 200,000 Passengers

During the suspension, Jazeera Airways launched its 'Barakah Initiative,' which maintained connectivity through an integrated land-air corridor via airports in Saudi Arabia, including Al-Qaisumah Airport and King Fahad International Airport. Over the 57-day period, the airline operated more than 1,500 flights, facilitated over 9,000 bus transfers, and transported nearly 200,000 passengers. The operation was supported by more than 500 employees and a fleet of 14 aircraft. Pasupathi highlighted the initiative's success in keeping Kuwait connected despite the airport closure. to Jazeera Airways' 'Park and Fly' building at least four hours prior to departure, from where they will be transferred to T5 to complete check-in and boarding procedures.

Structured Operational Plans Aim for Safety and Efficiency

Both airlines emphasized their readiness to manage operations with flexibility and efficiency under varying conditions. Al Shatti said Kuwait Airways is proceeding in line with a structured operational plan designed to ensure continuity while maintaining high standards of safety and quality. The expansion reflects the airline's efforts to enhance operational efficiency and improve service levels. Al Shatti noted that the carrier is expected to continue increasing the number of destinations in coordination with relevant authorities, as it seeks to meet growing demand and support the recovery of regional and international travel. Jazeera Airways' Pasupathi similarly underscored the airline's commitment to providing a seamless and efficient travel experience now that all flights operate directly from Kuwait.

Outlook: Steady Recovery for Kuwait's Aviation Sector

The simultaneous return of both airlines to full operations marks a milestone in Kuwait's aviation recovery. The resumption of 29 destinations by Kuwait Airways and 27 by Jazeera Airways restores a significant portion of the country's pre-closure connectivity. the coordinated efforts between the airlines, PACA, the Ministry of Interior, and Saudi authorities demonstrate effective crisis management. The temporary land-air corridor via Saudi airports proved a viable alternative during the suspension. Moving forward, both carriers are expected to gradually add more routes based on demand. The successful restart of operations from Kuwait International Airport bodes well for the country's travel and tourism sectors, which have been severely impacted by the pandemic and subsequent closures.

The bottom line

• Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways both resume full operations from Kuwait International Airport on May 3 after phased returns.
• Kuwait Airways expands to 29 destinations, including 13 new routes across Europe, Middle East, and Asia.
• Jazeera Airways returns to Terminal 5 after 57 days of suspended operations, during which it used a Saudi base and transported nearly 200,000 passengers.
• Jazeera Airways operated over 1,500 flights and 9,000 bus transfers under its 'Barakah Initiative' land-air corridor.
• Both airlines emphasize safety, efficiency, and demand-driven route planning as they restore connectivity.
• The coordinated recovery involves support from PACA, Ministry of Interior, and Saudi authorities.