The Supreme Committee headed by the head of the General Administration of Civil Aviation Sheikh Salman Al-Hamoud Al-Sabah, discussed the implementation of health procedures and requirements to be followed for gradual restart of commercial flights at the Kuwait International Airport.
Saad Al-Otaibi, told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) that several requirements have been adopted to restart commercial flights, including the approval to travel to Kuwait through an “Kuwait-Traveler” website/application to facilitate travel procedures and issue all requirements and work procedures for all government agencies and airlines.
Al-Otaibi added that the requirements of the health protocol have been implemented with provision for inspection centers in the airport buildings. He indicated that all necessary procedures and equipment’s are set to implement the health and preventive requirements such as (sterilization systems – glass barriers – thermal cameras – floor stickers). The plan consists of three main phases, where the first starts from August 1 and will last 6 months with operation of no more than 30 percent and the expected number of passengers up-till 10,000 passengers per day and a maximum expected flights up-till 100 flights per day.
The second stage starts from 1 February, 2021 and also lasts 6 months with an operating rate of no more than 60 percent and the expected number of passengers is to reach 20,000 passengers per day and the expected maximum number of flights is 200 flights per day. As for the third stage, he said it will start from 1 August, 2021, with 100 percent operations, the expected number of passengers is more than 30,000 passengers per day, and the expected maximum number of flights is 300 flights per day.
Al-Otaibi stated that the passengers coming to Kuwait International Airport have to carry a certified health certificate (PCR) that states their Coronavirus negative status and it is compulsory to register on the (Shlonk) application before boarding the aircraft. In addition, the person has to sign a commitment to adhere to the Ministry of Health’s instructions, either home or Institutional quarantine. He added that one of the requirements is also to check the temperature of all passengers before boarding the aircraft and to comply with health requirements in terms of wearing masks and gloves, use of sterilizers and adherence to physical distance.
Al-Otaibi stated that for the departing passengers, health certificates are issued by health centers inside Kuwait International Airport which is approved by the Ministry of Health to prove that the passenger has tested negative from coronavirus, according to the requirements of each country. It is also necessary to comply with health requirements in terms of wearing masks and gloves, the use of sterilizers and a commitment to physical distance within the airport buildings.
Source: KUNA