KUWAIT CITY, Feb 22: A recent statistic showed a remarkable growth in travel activity to and from Kuwait over the past year as the total travel ticket sales in 2024 amounted to KD 341.2 million. Arab Times obtained data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) which revealed that approximately 3.31 million tickets were sold in Kuwait’s air transport market in 2024, marking a modest 0.12 percent increase compared to 2023, when 3.304 million tickets were sold. May 2024 recorded the highest number of ticket sales with 338,000 tickets sold; followed by July with 331,000 and June with 299,000 tickets.

In the summer season alone, more than a million tickets were sold, highlighting a surge in travel demand during this period. The statistics also revealed that the Kuwaiti market accounted for 7.6 percent of all ticket sales in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Moreover, the report showed that the number of carriers operating at Kuwait International Airport has risen to 85 -- an increase of three carriers compared to 2023; while the number of licensed travel and tourism agencies in Kuwait now stands at 439.

Sources privy to the matter told the newspaper that agencies at the airport are intensifying efforts to coordinate fl ight schedules for the upcoming summer season, which is expected to see a high volume of passengers. Civil aviation authorities will grant operational approvals based on passenger terminal capacity and the allocation of shares to approved airlines. The goal is to enhance operational efficiency and improve the overall travel experience for passengers. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also been proactive in expanding air transport connections, recently signing several bilateral agreements with various countries. These efforts are aimed at further strengthening Kuwait International Airport’s connectivity to major global and regional airports, sources added.

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