While Gulf airports enjoy record growth, Kuwait International Airport faces a period of troubling stagnation. The Kuwait airport decline has prompted several major airlines to suspend operations entirely.
British Airways ended its daily Kuwait route in March, ending more than 60 years of service. The withdrawal followed similar moves by Lufthansa in September and KLM earlier last year.
In total, 14 international carriers have exited the airport. Meanwhile, they continue to expand routes across Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, and Abu Dhabi.
Aviation experts blame a mix of critical factors. Kuwait faces rising jet fuel costs, tough competition, and lagging airport services. Analysts agree these combined issues have reduced the airport’s global competitiveness.
“Kuwait lacks the infrastructure support that modern carriers expect,” said one regional aviation consultant. “Passenger services also need urgent improvement.”
Data from 2024 reflects this growing gap. Kuwait International Airport saw a 1 percent drop in traffic, down to 15.4 million passengers. That figure contrasts sharply with its neighbors.
Dubai International Airport soared 5.7 percent to reach 92.3 million travelers. Doha posted a 14.8 percent increase, welcoming 52.7 million. Riyadh grew by 17.8 percent to hit 37.6 million. Abu Dhabi surged 25.3 percent, serving 28.7 million passengers.
The Kuwait airport decline also worries tourism and business leaders. They warn that sustained losses could harm broader economic growth. As other Gulf airports invest heavily, Kuwait risks falling further behind.
Government officials have not released a new recovery plan. Calls for urgent investment and reform are mounting from both public and private sectors.
Without immediate action, analysts say the Kuwait airport decline may worsen. Stakeholders urge authorities to modernize infrastructure and restore airline confidence.
