India and Kuwait have formally signed a revised bilateral air services agreement, expanding the weekly seat capacity between the two countries from 12,000 to 18,000 seats for each side. The milestone pact was inked after nearly 18 years since the last increase in capacity entitlements, reflecting a response to rising passenger demand and high airfares, particularly from the Indian workforce residing in the GCC states.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi between the Indian delegation led by Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha and the Kuwaiti delegation led by Sheikh Hamoud Al-Mubarak, President of Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), reports Indian news agencies.
Sources familiar with the development said the move addresses a longstanding demand from both Indian and Kuwaiti carriers who had exhausted their existing weekly quotas.
The airlines were unable to introduce additional flights despite a sharp surge in demand — especially from Indian states like Kerala, which supply a significant portion of the Indian expatriate workforce in Kuwait and the Gulf. This capacity shortage had also led to inflated ticket prices.
The topic of enhanced air connectivity was prominently discussed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kuwait in December 2023. As part of the new agreement, Indian airlines will receive priority access to landing and parking slots at Kuwait’s airports, a provision that underscores Kuwait’s commitment to accommodating increased operations by Indian carriers.
Currently, approximately 40 flights operate daily between India and Kuwait. Major carriers on this route include IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air, Jazeera Airways, and Kuwait Airways.
Of these, Kuwait Airways operates 54 weekly flights, while IndiGo runs 36 weekly flights, making them the dominant players from their respective countries.
The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs that active discussions are ongoing with Gulf countries, including Kuwait, to improve air connectivity.
“Efforts are being made for the introduction of more flights and destinations between the two countries that will result in the reduction of ticket costs,” the ministry said.
This liberalized treaty is expected to provide immediate relief to travelers, boost tourism and trade ties, and significantly enhance the air travel experience between India and Kuwait.
Nonetheless, this agreement signals a pragmatic shift in India’s approach, with officials emphasizing a case-by-case assessment of foreign carrier access. A Indian government source said, “We will follow an India-first policy in all air service negotiations. However, we remain open to proposals that benefit passengers and ensure a fair deal for Indian airlines.”
Under the 2016 National Civil Aviation Policy, India established that unless 80% of existing bilateral rights are utilized by Indian carriers, no additional entitlements will be granted to foreign airlines. However, the latest India-Kuwait agreement reflects flexibility in implementation, driven by the need to reduce airfares and meet growing passenger volumes.
