KUWAIT:  The opening of the third runway and the new airport watchtower on October 30 will help boost operational capacity, said an official at the Public Authority for Civil Aviation on Tuesday. In an interview with KUNA, Deputy Director General for Planning Affairs and Projects at the Public Authority for Civil Aviation Engineer Saad Al-Otaibi affirmed that the two projects were part of the authority’s plans to reinforce Kuwait’s status as a regional hub for aviation and logistic services.

He indicated that Kuwait International Airport infrastructure was entering a new phase of comprehensive development, boosting operational capacity, improving services for travelers, and increasing state income. The Civil Aviation’s four-point comprehensive development strategy focuses on improving infrastructure to better serve travelers, boosting the airport’s operational capacity, increasing income via involving the private sector in administrative projects, and training cadres and staff to handle operations according to international standards.

He revealed that current projects at Kuwait international airport included the third runway, which stretches for 4.58 kilometers, making it one of the world’s longest runways.Al-Otaibi asserted that the opening of the runway would boost air safety and increase operational capacity, adding that the new watchtower project is equipped with the latest navigational technology, allowing air traffic control to direct over 600,000 landing and take-off operations annually, leading to a boost in state income and air safety.

The new projects will provide 20,000 job opportunities for national cadres, he revealed, saying that the Future Leaders Program to train Kuwaiti youth will include this vital sector. He went on to say that involving the private sector to operate commercial facilities within the airport, such as hotels, duty-free shops, and lounges, would be good for business and operational capacity, citing the operations at Terminal 4 (T4) in 2018 as an example of success endeavor.

Regarding the Terminal 2 (T2) project, Al-Otaibi said that it was one of the grandest projects in the history of the country, affirming that it would be an important monument and integral part of the country’s development vision.Speaking on the Civil Aviation Authority law, Al-Otaibi said that it was a leap in the governance of the sector and aligned with global standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), pointing out that the law separates between monitoring and operational tasks to ensure transparency and independence of operations and services.

He touched on Kuwait International Airport’s passing of the detailed security inspection by ICAO by a score of 88 percent as part of the regular and official framework set by the organization, saying that such reflected improved standards set by the Civil Aviation. — KUNA

KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received on Monday at Bayan Palace Oil Minister and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Chairman Dr Tareq Al-Roumi, KPC Deputy Chairman and CEO Sheikh Nawaf Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah and Kuwait Oil Company CEO Ahmad Jaber Al-Aidan.

During the reception, they briefed HH the Amir on the newly discovered Al-Jazza natural gas field, which is considered an accomplishment in the Kuwait maritime area, recording the highest production rate of a vertical well in the Minagish formation in Kuwait’s history, as part of KOC’s efforts to develop the nation’s hydrocarbon resources. The top officials presented HH the Amir with a commemorative gift on this occasion.

According to a statement released by KPC, this discovery follows a series of successive offshore exploration successes, including the Nokhatha field discovery in July 2024 and the Julaiah field in January 2025, reflecting significant progress in Kuwait’s offshore exploration capabilities. Initial test results from the Jazza-1 well showed exceptional production exceeding 29 million cubic feet of gas per day.

Al-Jazza offshore gas field

The reservoir is characterized by low carbon dioxide levels and is free from hydrogen sulfide and associated water, making it an environmentally and technically rare discovery. The field’s preliminary area is estimated at around 40 sq km, with potential reserves of approximately 1 trillion cubic feet of

gas, These figures are preliminary and may increase with continued exploration in adjacent reservoirs.

Al-Roumi said this discovery represents a strategic milestone within KPC’s and KOC’s 2040 vision to enhance national energy security and boost production capacity. He added that efforts are underway to accelerate the development of offshore fields and integrate them into the production system, supporting economic growth and creating new job opportunities for Kuwaiti talent.

Sheikh Nawaf expressed pride in the achievement, saying these discoveries reflect professionalism of Kuwaiti teams exploring unprecedented frontiers in the oil and gas sector. He added that the findings confirm the high environmental quality of Kuwaiti petroleum, characterized by low emissions, in line with the country’s long-term sustainable energy strategy.

Al-Aidan praised the company’s staff for their efforts in achieving such promising hydrocarbon discoveries, emphasizing that these accomplishments are the result of teamwork, excellence and innovation. He reaffirmed that the company will continue advancing toward development and industry leadership. – KUNA

KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah on Monday was briefed on the Ministry’s new smart security patrol, equipped with the latest technical systems to enhance the speed, accuracy, and efficiency of security operations in the field. In a press statement, the Interior Ministry said the initiative reflects its commitment to keeping pace with technological developments and supporting digital transformation in security work.

Sheikh Fahad Al-Sabah received an explanation from Brigadier Anwar Al-Yatama, Head of the Human Resources and Information Technology Sector, on the patrol’s key components and smart systems, which were developed by national experts in information technology and cybersecurity. The patrol features an integrated system of advanced technologies, including smart mobile cameras linked to facial recognition and vehicle license plate systems, a mobile fingerprint device for instant identification, and direct connections to the ministry’s databases for rapid identification of wanted persons and vehicles.

The system also incorporates artificial intelligence for real-time image processing and analysis, supporting security personnel in the field and improving operational efficiency. Sheikh Fahad Al-Sabah emphasized the importance of leveraging modern technology to enhance field security work and praised national teams for developing the project, calling it a significant step in the ministry’s technological transformation. The Interior Ministry reaffirmed its ongoing efforts to modernize the security system and employ cutting-edge technologies to serve public safety, contributing to enhanced security and stability across Kuwait.

New service on Sahel

In a separate development, the Ministry announced the launch of a new service via the unified government application for electronic services (Sahel), allowing families of inmates to request appointments with officials from the General Administration of Correctional Institutions. Interviews will be conducted every Monday from 4 to 6 pm, enabling families to submit inquiries and complaints efficiently. — KUNA