Kuwait Airport to open third runway; new control tower to boost safety and efficiency

• The third runway stands out as one of the longest in the world, stretching 4.58 kilometers. Its operation will enhance aircraft takeoff and landing capacity, elevate aviation safety levels, and improve overall efficiency. Al-Otaibi credited the achievement to the support of PACA leadership and the collaborative efforts of all civil aviation sectors.
• The new control tower is equipped with state-of-the-art navigation systems and modern technologies used in major global airports. It will allow highly efficient air traffic management and is designed to handle over 600,000 takeoffs and landings annually, boosting revenue and safety standards.

Deputy Director General for Planning and Projects at the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA), Engineer Saad Al-Otaibi, announced that Kuwait International Airport is set to inaugurate its third runway and a new air traffic control tower on October 30. The launch is expected to significantly enhance aviation safety and operational efficiency.

Al-Otaibi described the two projects as a major advancement in Kuwait’s air transport system, strengthening the country’s position as a regional hub for air traffic and logistics services. He noted that the airport’s development forms part of a comprehensive plan to modernize infrastructure, improve passenger services, and increase national revenue, reports Al-Rai daily.

The Authority has crafted a strategy around four key objectives: improving passenger services, developing infrastructure, increasing operational efficiency, and boosting revenues by involving the private sector in airport operations. National personnel have also been trained to manage facilities according to international standards.

Among the major projects at Kuwait International Airport, the third runway stands out as one of the longest in the world, stretching 4.58 kilometers. Its operation will enhance aircraft takeoff and landing capacity, elevate aviation safety levels, and improve overall efficiency. Al-Otaibi credited the achievement to the support of PACA leadership and the collaborative efforts of all civil aviation sectors.

The new control tower is equipped with state-of-the-art navigation systems and modern technologies used in major global airports. It will allow highly efficient air traffic management and is designed to handle over 600,000 takeoffs and landings annually, boosting revenue and safety standards.

These projects are aligned with the government’s vision to develop Kuwait’s air transport system, supported by political leadership that has helped overcome challenges and ensured timely milestones. Al-Otaibi highlighted that the initiatives will create more than 20,000 jobs for national cadres in airport management, air navigation, and ground services, alongside a Future Leaders Program to train Kuwaiti youth for leadership roles in the sector.

Private sector involvement in commercial facilities such as duty-free shops, lounges, and hotels has improved service quality and operational efficiency. Al-Otaibi cited the successful management of Terminal 4 (T4) in 2018 by an international operator as a model that strengthened national capabilities in airport operations.

The new passenger terminal (T2), the largest in Kuwait International Airport’s history, is set to become a landmark architectural and operational achievement. Al-Otaibi praised the Ministry of Public Works and Minister Dr. Noura Al-Mashaan for their coordination in accelerating the project, emphasizing that the terminal will rival major global airports in design, efficiency, and passenger services.

Regarding regulatory reforms, Al-Otaibi noted that the Civil Aviation Authority Law represents a qualitative shift in sector governance, separating oversight from operations to enhance transparency, independence, and efficiency, in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

Finally, Kuwait International Airport recently passed a security audit exceeding ICAO international standards by 88 percent, reflecting the authority’s commitment to aviation safety and the ongoing modernization of the country’s air transport infrastructure.

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