Kuwait and Italy strengthen ties with landmark Jazeera Airways Milan service

By Shouq AlMulla
Special to The Times Kuwait

Italy and Kuwait marked a new milestone in aviation and bilateral relations on Monday with the announcement of a direct Jazeera Airways route connecting Kuwait International Airport (KWI) to Milan Bergamo Airport (BGY), the first non-stop service linking the two destinations.

The route, scheduled to launch on May 20th 2026, expands the Kuwaiti carrier’s European network and is expected to bolster trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between the two countries.

The announcement was made at Jazeera Airways headquarters in Kuwait in the presence of Italy’s Ambassador to Kuwait HE Lorenzo Morini, Jazeera Airways Chief Executive Officer Barathan Pasupathi, and representatives from Milan Bergamo Airport.

Italy’s Ambassador to Kuwait H.E. Lorenzo Morini welcomed the launch, calling the new flight “a bridge” that will reinforce bilateral ties and support growing exchange between younger generations in both societies. He highlighted the Lombardy region as a major center for commerce, heritage, and innovation, while encouraging Italian travelers to discover Kuwait’s hospitality, cultural landscape, and emerging economy.

Jazeera Airways CEO Pasupathi said the new service will provide travelers from Kuwait with greater access to Northern Italy and onward European destinations. “This is a key step in expanding Jazeera Airways’ European network and giving travelers from Kuwait more choice and value,” he said, noting that the route would support travel for trade, leisure, and community purposes.

Milan Bergamo Airport is one of Italy’s busiest aviation gateways, offers strategic access to the broader Lombardy region, including Milan, Bergamo, and popular tourism destinations such as Lake Como, Lake Garda, and the Italian Alps, as well as multi-city itineraries across Northern Europe. The service will operate three times per week starting in May.

Representing Milan Bergamo Airport, Amelia Corti, Managing Director of SACBO, described the launch as a “landmark moment,” making Bergamo the first Italian airport to welcome Jazeera Airways. She added that the route will facilitate two-way tourism and create new opportunities for business and cultural engagement between Italy and Kuwait.

The launch event also featured participation from a variety of Italian companies and brands active in Kuwait, reflecting the broader economic and cultural dimension of the route. Guests were introduced to Italian automotive, culinary, and lifestyle products showcased by partners including Maserati, Illy Coffee, and other artisanal producers.

Vigonovo by Italian Chef Marco Fiorot prepared traditional Italian dishes for attendees, while La Maison Du Fromage provided specialty cheese tastings and giveaways. A competition was held during the event in which several attendees won complimentary tickets to Milan Bergamo as part of the promotional launch.

The new route marks another step in Jazeera Airways’ continued international expansion, reinforcing Kuwait’s connectivity to Europe and supporting rising demand for leisure, cultural, and commercial travel between both markets.