Will Kuwait’s new T2 terminal be enough to bring back international airlines?

As international carriers continue suspending their flights to Kuwait, and construction of the new Terminal 2 (T2) at Kuwait International Airport nears completion, a pressing question arises: Will the opening of a modern terminal alone be enough to attract global airlines back? Or are there deeper commercial challenges that must be addressed to enhance Kuwait’s appeal and stimulate international air traffic?

Recent months have seen major European carriers such as the British Airways, Lufthansa, and KLM halt their operations in Kuwait. These decisions underscore a broader issue—airlines are not withdrawing due to infrastructure concerns alone, but rather economic ones, reports Al-Rai daily.

In a recent interview on Kuwait TV’s “Kuwait Nights,” Acting Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Eng. Duaij Al-Otaibi, voiced optimism about the potential return of some international airlines. He emphasized that the flight suspensions were driven by economic decisions specific to the airlines themselves, not necessarily conditions within Kuwait.

“These companies operate based on commercial viability,” Al-Otaibi explained. “In the past, regional carriers dominated passenger transport from Kuwait, reducing the incentive for major international players. But if conditions improve, there’s no reason they won’t return.” He added that DGCA had engaged with various countries and airlines in an effort to address the issue, though acknowledged the government cannot force airlines to operate in Kuwait.

Al-Otaibi noted that once T2 opens, “they will need to return. The demand will be there.” However, industry experts urge a more cautious outlook.

Sami Al-Nisf, former chairman of Kuwait Airways, argued that expecting a flood of international carriers following the T2 launch is unrealistic. “The new terminal is just a starting point,” he said. “Re-attracting international airlines requires broader reforms—particularly in revitalizing Kuwait’s commercial and tourism sectors.”

Al-Nisf stressed the need for stronger regional integration, particularly with Gulf countries that continue to attract airlines due to their vibrant economies and open travel policies. Without boosting passenger demand and improving the investment climate, he warned, the benefits of a new terminal could be limited.

He also criticized current fee structures at Kuwait Airport, saying they may be misaligned with airline operational realities. “It’s not just about raising revenue from higher fees,” he cautioned. “If airlines pull out due to high costs, we’ll end up with an empty terminal—a case of the operation succeeding, but the patient dying.”

Thamer Arab, former chairman of Wataniya Airways, echoed this sentiment. He noted that international airlines are profit-driven, and that Kuwait currently lacks the appeal of a regional transit hub. “Unless profitability can be assured, airlines won’t return,” he said. High operating costs and stiff competition from Gulf and Turkish carriers further diminish Kuwait’s competitiveness.
Arab also pointed out that an airline will typically require a flight occupancy rate of at least 65% to sustain operations. Below that threshold, routes become financially unviable.

Mohammed Al-Mutairi, Chairman of the Federation of Travel Agencies, added that infrastructure upgrades alone won’t change airline behavior. “The terminal itself is not the issue,” he said. “The real problem is that Kuwait has not been a commercially attractive route.” With a global shortage of aircraft, airlines are prioritizing more profitable destinations.

Al-Mutairi concluded that a mix of targeted incentives, economic reforms, and enhanced competitiveness will be required to bring international airlines back to Kuwait. Without addressing these commercial fundamentals, the opening of T2—however modern or advanced—may not be enough to reverse the trend.