In one more disappointing efficiency, the Kuwait Worldwide Airport ranked final amongst Gulf airports in passenger visitors development in the course of the first half of 2025.
Whereas different Gulf airports posted development charges ranging between 1.5% and 13%, Kuwait stood alone in recording a decline of three%, with solely 7.4 million passengers in comparison with 7.63 million in the identical interval final 12 months, reviews Al-Rai every day.
This stark distinction highlights the success of complete Gulf methods aimed toward boosting air journey, whereas Kuwait’s airport continues to underperform regardless of as soon as being among the many area’s aviation leaders.
Based on knowledgeable sources, a number of elements have contributed to this decline:
- European airways proceed to withdraw from the Kuwait market attributable to monetary inefficiency. British Airways suspended operations in March, following earlier exits by Lufthansa and KLM. In distinction, Bahrain shortly reversed an identical suspension by British Airways, because of immediate authorities intervention — one thing Kuwait did not do.
- Nationwide carriers had been restricted from increasing their operations in the course of the previous 12 months and into the primary half of 2025.
- Sluggish decision-making has delayed initiatives aimed toward boosting journey, and several other key airport contracts have expired with out clear plans for renewal or alternative.
- Infrastructure challenges persist, with airways reporting plane injury from flying gravel on runways, restricted terminal capability, and jet gas costs that stay excessive in comparison with regional averages.
The sources harassed that Kuwait Imaginative and prescient 2035, which seeks to rework the nation right into a regional funding hub, locations the airport on the middle of this ambition. But, the airport’s poor efficiency stays out of sync with the nation’s broader growth plans.
The sources known as on the federal government to undertake a extra collaborative and clear strategy, involving not simply the Public Authority of Civil Aviation but additionally different credible authorities and non-government entities.
This, they mentioned, is crucial to diagnosing the true causes of decline, putting in sensible options, and establishing a practical govt roadmap with outlined timelines.
Passenger visitors figures from throughout the Gulf inform a distinct story:
- Dubai Airport: 46 million passengers (+2.3%) – a historic excessive
- Hamad Worldwide (Qatar): 25.9 million (+1.5%)
- King Abdulaziz (Riyadh): 25.5 million (+6.8%)
- Abu Dhabi Airport: 15.8 million (+13%) – highest development within the Gulf
- Kuwait Airport: 7.4 million (–3%) – solely decline recorded
- Bahrain Airport: 4.6 million (+1.5%)
- Muscat Airport: 1.1 million (+2%)