KUWAIT CITY, March 17: Acting Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Duaij Al-Otaibi has confirmed the completion and operation of major projects at Kuwait International Airport such as the third runway, new control tower and Air Cargo City. In a televised interview, Al- Otaibi said the infrastructure for these projects includes power and fire stations, as well as the equipment related to radar and air navigation simulation systems. He also unveiled the plan to establish the Civil Aviation Authority, under which companies will operate, including a private company to manage airports and another to manage air navigation. He asserted “This is the ideal and most appropriate vision for the future of aviation in the country.”

He expects the new Kuwait International Airport to open in the last quarter of 2026, according to the promises of the company implementing the project. He also pointed out that the Air Cargo City is one of the largest in the Middle East with a capacity for more than 77 giant cargo aircraft, indicating it is a ready-to-operate project. He disclosed that the number of infrastructure projects has reached 13; including the reconstruction of the central and eastern runways, which will be operational once the third runway becomes operational in the coming days. He cited other projects related to air navigation, weather equipment, and ground services. He added the airport terminals cater to about 16 million passengers annually; and that upon the opening of the new airport, the number is expected to reach 25 million passengers annually. He said the new airport can accommodate 27 million passengers annually. He expects the construction of another airport in the northern part of the country, in conjunction with the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port and Mutlaa City projects. He indicated this will be determined by the concerned government agencies, confirming that Kuwait is on the verge of a major renaissance in the aviation sector. He stated that aviation, along with other sectors, should contribute 25 percent of the country’s national income in the next 10 years

By Mohammad Al-Enezi
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff