Kuwait Airport Terminal 1 reopens to international airlines

Kuwait International Airport (KWI) resumed international operations from Terminal 1 on 1 June 2026, allowing foreign airlines to restore services to and from the country after months of disruption linked to the Iran war. The reopening came despite Kuwaiti air defence systems intercepting incoming drones and missiles on the same day.

 

Etihad Airways operated the first flight from the terminal, connecting Kuwait with Abu Dhabi, UAE, with more carriers set to follow as operations ramp up.

 

According to Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), operations on the first day of the reopening followed the approved operational plan and proceeded as scheduled.

 

Previously, Terminal 1 remained closed after sustaining damage during a drone attack on 28 February 2026, delaying the return of full operations. 

 

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Kuwait’s airspace reopened on 23 April 2026, followed by the phased return of Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways services from 26 April through Terminals 4 and 5. 

 

As operations resumed, both carriers have began rebuilding their networks. Kuwait Airways has restored services to destinations including London, Riyadh and Mumbai, while Jazeera Airways brought back its seasonal Budapest route and is preparing to launch flights to London Luton from 8 July 2026. The airline is also scheduled to increase the route from four weekly services to daily flights from August.

 

During the disruption, Kuwait’s carriers temporarily operated services from King Fahd International Airport (DMM) in Dammam and Al Qaisumah-Hafar Al Batin Airport (AQI) in Saudi Arabia. 

 

Kuwait became the final GCC country to restore airspace operations following the regional disruption, after Bahrain resumed flights earlier in April 2026.

 

For more information, visit www.kuwaitairport.gov.kw