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Airline exodus drives up travel costs in Kuwait, disrupts Eid plans

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All eyes on Terminal 2 as travelers lose direct access to key European connections

By Passant Hisham and Faten Omar

KUWAIT: With the gradual pullout of more than a dozen global airlines — particularly major European carriers — from Kuwait in recent years, travel has become more challenging for residents. As the summer season approaches, many are reporting higher ticket costs, fewer direct flight options and a growing reliance on less convenient transit routes through regional hubs such as Doha and Dubai, operated by neighboring airlines.

Travel difficulties have reached a point where some frequent travelers have decided to postpone their planned summer holiday altogether. “Some flights have layovers of over six to eight hours, which is exhausting and affects the travel experience.” frequent traveler Talal Al-Fadhli said.

“I was planning to visit a few countries in Europe, but even budget airlines were unusually expensive. I tried switching airlines to avoid long stopovers, but either the prices were very high, or the airline services were not good options.”

A travel consultant at a local agency, Mohamed Moustafa, says the rise in prices stems from reduced competition in the market. “When these major airlines leave, competition drops and fares go up,” he said. “Even neighboring airlines are expensive now because demand is high and supply is low.” Before pulling out of Kuwait, these European carriers connected travelers to key transit airports like Frankfurt and Amsterdam. He explained that with fewer choices available, ticket prices naturally increased.

Disrupting Eid plans

The absence of major international carriers has not only affected summer travel, but also intensified pressure during peak periods like Eid.

“Ticket prices have gone up by about 90 percent during Eid due to increased demand,” an employee from a local budget airline explained. “With fewer direct routes, travelers are forced to book longer and expensive flights with other airlines.”

Shahrookh Khan Pathan, another frequent traveler, shared his frustration over how much Eid airfare has increased compared to last year. “Ticket prices during Eid are much higher. The last time I flew with a local airline from Kuwait and back, it cost around KD 100 to 120,” he said. “But just yesterday, I checked, and the same route was over KD 220.”

The sharp rise forced Pathan and his family to cancel their travel plans. “We wanted to celebrate with our loved ones, but these prices are just not manageable,” he said.

He added that regional competitors weren’t much better, with fares jumping from KD 90–100 to more than KD 175. “And these tickets don’t even come with basic things like meals,” he said. “Even the cheaper options have layovers that last more than 12 hours. Who wants to spend their Eid stuck in an airport lounge?”

Local options

Following the exit of international airlines from Kuwait, the national airline has become the sole option for direct flights to certain European destinations, but the pricey fares continue to be a barrier for many travelers.

Still, it offers unique advantages that are often overlooked, Moustafa said. “The national airline’s policies are much more flexible than most regional competitors,” he said. “It has clear, customer-friendly policies. For example, if you book a non-refundable ticket but had to change your travel plans, you can reschedule your flight within two years of the original booking. That gives travelers peace of mind.” The reasonable cancellation policies and generous baggage allowance make it a good choice, he said.

An insider from the national carrier, speaking on condition of anonymity, offered some insight into why the airline’s prices may be higher than others: Despite partial private ownership, the airline operates under a government-based business model. “It’s not purely profit-driven like private carriers,” the source said. “If it were, you’d probably see cost cuts—maybe cheaper tickets, but at the expense of hotel standards for pilots, onboard service quality, and staff conditions.”

Moustafa pointed out that while many airlines have left Kuwait, overall travel demand from Kuwait remains strong. The current situation has created opportunities for local airlines. With fewer competitors, demand for local carriers has risen, prompting them to introduce more promotions and special offers. “Sometimes surprise discounts are released that significantly reduce ticket prices,” he said.

Eyes on the new terminal

Despite the discounts, regional competitors remain the cheaper option for some destinations, attracting more travelers. Moustafa emphasized that expanding fleet capacity and launching direct routes to more destinations could help local airlines reclaim this market share and better serve the growing demand.

With the new Kuwait International Airport Terminal 2 project underway, Moustafa’s suggestion could soon become reality. One of the engineers involved in the project told Kuwait Times that the airport is expected to attract more international airlines once operational. Designed to handle 25 million passengers annually, the terminal is set to become a major regional hub.

“Once the new terminal opens, we’ll see more flights, which means lower ticket prices and increased passenger traffic. That ripple effect will uplift the entire tourism and aviation sector in Kuwait,” said Moustafa. Although the project has faced some delays, the engineer confirmed that completion is now expected by 2026. Construction is progressing, with work being carried out on the third package, which includes the runway and operational facilities.

In the meantime, the budget airline employee said it’s introducing new European destinations this summer, a move that has received strong positive feedback from travelers and could help fill the void left by the departing European carriers.

Moustafa explained that with this move, people are starting to consider new travel destination like Krakow and Zakopane in Poland. Russia’s popularity has also been on the rise for about two years now, he added. Other trending destinations include Cyprus, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

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Kuwait, UK leaders discuss strengthening bilateral ties

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Crown Prince, Starmer exchange calls • Coast Guard discusses security with UK official

KUWAIT: Kuwait and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their strong bilateral relations in a series of high-level discussions this week, covering diplomacy, regional security, and maritime cooperation. His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received a telephone call on Wednesday from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to review the “distinguished and close” relations between the two countries and explore ways to further enhance them.

Prime Minister Starmer wished His Highness continued health and wellbeing, and expressed hopes for Kuwait’s ongoing progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. In response, the Crown Prince thanked the Prime Minister, describing the communication as a reflection of the “deep and solid” ties between the two friendly nations. He emphasized the shared commitment to further strengthen historical relations and expand cooperation across all fields, wishing continued prosperity to the UK and its people.

According to a statement from the UK foreign affairs department, the Prime Minister said the UK would work with close allies including Kuwait to implement President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. The Prime Minister added that he felt a strong sense of responsibility that this plan delivered an end to the fighting in Gaza and a long-term pathway to peace.

His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah chairs a meeting of the the Supreme Defense Council.

His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah chairs a meeting of the the Supreme Defense Council.

In parallel developments, His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Defense Council, presided over a meeting of the council at Bayan Palace to review key regional developments and recent international affairs.

On the security front, Kuwait’s Coast Guard Director-General, Commodore Mubarak Ali Al-Sabah met with the UK’s Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren to discuss shared security interests and ways to enhance cooperation. The meeting took place at Sabah Al-Ahmad Coast Guard Base and included senior Coast Guard officials.

During the visit, Commodore Mubarak Al-Sabah highlighted the “historical depth” of Kuwait-UK relations and the ongoing development of military and security cooperation. Admiral Ahlgren was briefed on recent updates at the Coast Guard, including the new coastal monitoring system and the integration of naval drones into Kuwait’s maritime fleet. The visit underlined both countries’ shared commitment to strategic cooperation in security and maritime domains, aiming to strengthen regional stability and safeguard mutual interests. — Agencies

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Kuwaiti PM rep. reaffirms commitment to dialogue, regional security

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 ALULA, Saudi Arabia: Representing His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah stressed Wednesday that Kuwait’s participation in Munich Security Conference (MSC) Leaders Meeting, reflects commitment to regional dialogue and cooperation.

In remarks to KUNA, on the sidelines of the meeting in AlUla city, Sheikh Fahad condemned Israeli aggression against Qatar and Gaza as a violation of international law, emphasizing that the assault posed a direct threat to Gulf collective security and broader regional stability, urging urgent international attention.

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He noted that the meeting provided a vital platform to discuss pressing global and regional security challenges, particularly the escalating conflicts and humanitarian tragedies in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, where participants agreed sustainable security remains impossible amid ongoing Israeli aggression.

He warned of grave consequences from escalating conflicts caused by Israeli occupation’s aggression, stressing risks to Gulf stability, while noting deliberations also addressed maritime and energy security, non-proliferation, food and water security, economic challenges, and shared transnational threats facing the international community.Reaffirming Kuwait’s commitment under its current presidency of the GCC, Sheikh Fahad stressed the importance of bolstering collective security, unifying Gulf positions, and strengthening regional and international partnerships, while praising Saudi Arabia’s warm hospitality and MSC’s role in organizing this vital meeting. — KUNA

 

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Deliveroo Kuwait unveils exclusive global dishes

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KUWAIT: Deliveroo Kuwait is serving up a global culinary journey with the launch of the new dishes from “The Exchange Program”. The first-of-its-kind initiative sent four of Kuwait’s top chefs abroad to explore viral food trends. Each created a fusion dish inspired by their journey, available exclusively on Deliveroo.

The program kicked off with Chef Khaled Al-Baker of Young Po, who took inspiration from the bustling streets of Seoul, South Korea, to introduce Rabokki. The dish combines chewy rice cakes and ramen noodles in a spicy, savory sauce, bringing the authentic flavors of Korean street food straight to Kuwait.

From Rome, Italy, Chef Faisal Al-Nashmi of San Ristorante is introducing the Maritozzi Box. Featuring indulgent cream-filled buns, the dish captures the essence of Italy’s sweet traditions while adding Chef Al-Nashmi’s modern touch. Chef Sawsan Daana of Matbakhi is channeling the spirit of Athens, Greece, with the Savory Souffra. Inspired by the communal dining tables of the Mediterranean, this dish celebrates togetherness through a vibrant spread of flavors that highlight the richness and warmth of Greek cuisine.

Finally, OH G!’s Chef Ghalia Hayat is bringing a taste of London, England, with the Donut Pudding Ice Cream. Reinventing classic British desserts, this whimsical dish brings together Hayat’s salted caramel pudding ice cream with a decadent chocolatey fudge swirl and chunks of donut, to deliver a unique sweet experience that will surprise and delight.

Deliveroo Kuwait’s Exchange Program is more than just a menu — it’s a cultural experience. By spotlighting Kuwaiti chefs and their creative reinterpretations of international dishes, the program bridges food trends with local talent, inviting customers to explore the world without leaving their homes. All dishes are available now and for a limited time, exclusively on Deliveroo Kuwait.

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