Kuwait Airport gears up for national holidays

Agencies at Kuwait International Airport are working tirelessly to accommodate the surge in passenger traffic expected during the upcoming national holidays, implementing a series of measures to ensure smooth operations.

According to airport sources, departures are expected to exceed 130,000 passengers from the 22nd to the 27th of this month, with Dubai, Istanbul, Jeddah, Cairo, and Doha being the most popular destinations.

However, the increased demand for travel tickets, evident through electronic reservation systems and travel offices, has led to a significant rise in prices, up to 100% for certain destinations.

Tourism experts attribute this spike in ticket prices to the usual supply and demand dynamics, exacerbated by the approaching holidays. Kamal Kabsha noted that with improving global conditions, travel demand has been steadily rising annually, particularly ahead of the Ramadan period. Consequently, ticket prices for sought-after destinations like Cairo and Jeddah have soared by over 100%.

Ayman Zandah, General Manager of Salhia World Tourism and Travel Company, observed a strong demand for distant destinations such as London, Rome, and Paris, with some travelers opting to extend their vacations. Meanwhile, nearby destinations like Dubai and Jeddah remain popular due to the brevity of the holiday.

To manage the anticipated influx of passengers effectively, airport authorities have devised a comprehensive plan in collaboration with operating agencies. This includes continuous monitoring, the deployment of round-the-clock teams, and ensuring operational readiness to minimize congestion and facilitate smooth travel experiences for passengers.

Meanwhile, Abdullah Al-Rajhi, the official spokesperson for civil aviation, informed Kuwait News Agency that the anticipated outbound passenger traffic during the national holidays is projected to reach 113,337 passengers, compared to 102,010 passengers in the same period last year. He also noted an increase in incoming passenger traffic, expected to reach 149,394 passengers, compared to 85,142 passengers during the corresponding period in the previous year.

Al-Rajhi further disclosed that a total of 1,845 flights are expected to operate during this holiday period, compared to 1,367 flights in 2023. This includes 924 incoming flights, up from 685 in the previous year, and 921 departing flights, an increase from 682 in 2023.