‘Ban on direct flights to Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh countries stays’

KUWAIT CITY, May 12: Director of the Air Transport Department at the General Directorate of Civil Aviation Abdullah Al-Rajhi announced the issuance of a decision to increase the operating capacity of arrival flights from 1,000 to 5,000 passengers per day starting from May 22, reports Al-Qabas daily. In an exclusive statement to the daily, Al- Rajhi disclosed the Supreme Committee for Corona Emergencies took this step for the airlines operating at Kuwait International Airport to increase their commercial operations during the summer season; affirming that the daily arrivals rate will increase to 80 percent compared to the previous decision on limiting the number of arriving passengers to 1,000 per day.

He said the department sent a letter to the airlines operating at the airport, asking them to specify their desired operational rate in the coming period to set the flight schedules and determine the number of daily flights starting from May 22. Asked about the expected number of daily flights after the decision to increase the operational capacity for arriving passengers; Al-Rahji revealed the number of daily flights depends on the airlines operating at the airport, as the decision states that the maximum number of arrivals should not exceed 5,000 passengers per day.

He expects the department to receive the requests of companies regarding the new travel destinations next week for inclusion in the operational schedules before May 22. He said the increase in flights will be applicable to the available travel stations with the possibility of opening other destinations like Bosnia and Bodrum in Turkey. He added the circulars regarding travel regulations -- arrivals and departures -- remain in effect as there have been no changes; indicating the airport currently caters only to arriving Kuwaitis, their first-degree relatives and domestic workers accompanying them. He went on to say that the list of countries from which passengers are banned from entering Kuwait has not changed.

Following is a summary of procedures taken:
1. Addressing the airlines operating at Kuwait International Airport to specify their desired operational rates,
2. Scheduling flights starting from May 22,
3. The decision to increase the number of flights is applicable to the available travel stations with the possibility of opening other destinations.

Al-Rajhi also confirmed the cancellation of all flights to and from Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in line with the Cabinet’s decision in this regard; while the air cargo flights continue as per schedule. He added the expatriates who want to travel to these countries can go through the transit destinations, as there will be no direct flights with these countries until further notice.