Kuwait Airways to Resume Flights Sunday as Airspace Reopens After Eight-Week Closure

Key facts

• Kuwait's airspace reopened on Thursday evening after an eight-week closure.
• Kuwait Airways will resume limited flights from Terminal 4 on Sunday, 26 April.
• Jazeera Airways will resume operations on Sunday from Terminal 5, serving nine destinations.
• The airspace closure followed multiple drone strikes that damaged fuel facilities and radar systems.
• Kuwait's prime minister visited the airport on 19 April to discuss reopening plans.
• The Kuwait-Casablanca route is part of a second phase restoring 13 additional destinations.
• Kuwait Airways has restored 29 routes in total, including London, Paris, and Dubai.

Airspace Reopens After Eight-Week Shutdown

Kuwait's airspace officially reopened on Thursday evening, ending an eight-week closure imposed amid regional tensions. The state news agency KUNA announced a phased plan to gradually resume air traffic, with full airport operations expected to follow. Though the airspace is now open, flights will not take off until Sunday, when Kuwait Airways will begin a limited service from Terminal 4, citing compliance with safety procedures.

Limited Flight Schedules and Destinations

Kuwait Airways will resume operations on Sunday with a reduced schedule, focusing on key international routes. Jazeera Airways has also confirmed it will restart flights on the same day from its dedicated Terminal 5, initially serving Delhi, Beirut, Mumbai, Damascus, Kochi, Istanbul, Amman, Dubai, and Cairo. The gradual reopening reflects a cautious approach to restoring air connectivity after the prolonged closure.

Prime Minister's Visit and Government Oversight

Kuwait's prime minister, Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, visited the airport on Sunday, 19 April, accompanied by the minister of defence and the president of the public authority of civil aviation. During the tour, he stressed the importance of ensuring the airport's readiness for operations in line with approved plans to support air transport in the country. The visit underscored the government's direct involvement in the reopening process.

Drone Strikes and Continued Relocation to Saudi Airport

The airspace closure was triggered by multiple drone strikes on Kuwait International Airport, which caused damage to fuel facilities and radar systems. As the reopening unfolds gradually, relocated services at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, will continue. National carriers are organising buses to transport passengers to the Saudi airport, a journey of about four and a half hours by road.

Regional Airspace Reopenings and Ceasefire Context

Kuwait's move follows a broader regional trend, with the United Arab Emirates partially reopening its airspace on 2 March and gradually rebuilding flight networks despite two brief closures in March. Qatar partially reopened its airspace from 7 March for limited repatriation flights, and its national carrier now operates roughly 45 per cent of its pre-war network. Bahrain, Iraq, and Israel have also reopened their airspace following the ceasefire announced on 7 April. Saudi Arabia's airspace remained open but has been impacted, while Iran partially reopened after the ceasefire.

Kuwait Airways Expands Network with Casablanca Route

Kuwait Airways has announced a new route between Kuwait International Airport and Casablanca, marking the return of a key North Africa connection as part of a broader expansion. The announcement coincides with the second phase of the airline's gradual reactivation, which will see 13 additional destinations reinstated starting next Sunday, bringing the total number of restored routes to 29. The renewed Kuwait-Casablanca route is among a wide range of destinations spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, including London, Paris, Madrid, Milan, Istanbul, Dubai, Bangkok, and several South and Southeast Asian cities.

Structured Operational Plan and Market-Driven Expansion

Abdulwahab Al Shatti, acting chief executive of Kuwait Airways, stated that the airline is moving forward with a structured operational plan aimed at ensuring continuity while maintaining efficiency and service quality. He explained that the selection of destinations was guided by market demand and passenger needs, and that the carrier is prepared to manage its operations with flexibility under varying conditions. Al Shatti emphasised that the ongoing expansion reflects the airline's efforts to enhance operational performance and improve the overall travel experience for passengers. For Morocco, the Kuwait-Casablanca connection is expected to strengthen air connectivity between the country and the Gulf region, supporting both passenger travel and business exchanges.

The bottom line

• Kuwait's airspace reopened after an eight-week closure due to drone strikes, with flights resuming on Sunday.
• Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways are restarting limited services from separate terminals.
• The government, led by the prime minister, is directly overseeing the phased reopening.
• Relocated services at King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia will continue during the gradual transition.
• Kuwait Airways has restored 29 routes, including a new Casablanca connection, as part of a market-driven expansion.
• Regional airspace reopenings follow a ceasefire, with several countries gradually resuming flights.