Many Kuwaiti citizens were in line to complete their travel procedures through T4 terminal for departure to other countries starting from the early hours of Saturday once commercial flights resumed and the suspension of Kuwait International Airport’s activities was lifted. One of the reasons given for traveling while Kuwait and the rest of the world continues to battle against the coronavirus pandemic is for tourism. London has always especially been one of the most attractive destinations for Kuwaiti citizens. Meanwhile, others were returning to work, and some were going for medical treatment abroad.
The traveling procedures were streamlined with the only travel requirements for Kuwait citizens were to sign up for a health insurance policy, and have a PCR test done to show their coronavirus free status. This was amidst health and precautionary measures taken in the airport against the coronavirus.
The Kuwait airport also allowed Kuwaiti citizens to return on two flights from Qatar and Turkey. Kuwait International Airport restarted activity today after a five-month suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On July 21, Kuwait Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) outlined a health protocol in preparation for passengers that includes all procedures pertaining to random inspection places for arrivals and the procedures for arrival and departure from Kuwait International Airport.
The departing passengers must provide the travel requirements for the country they are traveling to. The instructions also stress the necessity for booking tickets online or by phone and receiving them via e-mail to avoid the use of paper tickets and the possibility of infection. Citizens must acquire travel health insurance that covers the treatment of coronavirus infection. All arriving passengers will be subjected to 14 days home quarantine.
On June 29, Kuwait’s Cabinet approved a three-stage plan to resume commercial flights in and out of Kuwait Airport from August 1.
The plan took into account the importance of adhering to the preventive and precautionary measures issued by the health authorities, as they will be applied to travelers through approved measures that must be followed that would protect travelers and workers in this field from contracting the virus.
The first stage starts today and will last for six months, with an operation of no more than 30 percent, the expected number of passengers not to exceed 10,000 per day, and the expected maximum number of flights is 100 per day.
The second stage starts on February 1, 2021, and also lasts six months with an operating rate of no more than 60 percent and the expected number of passengers not to exceed 20,000 per day and the expected maximum number of flights is 200 per day.
Regarding the third and final phase, it starts on August 1, 2021, with 100 percent operation, the expected number of passengers is more than 30,000 daily, and the expected maximum number of flights is 300 per day.
