Kuwait Airways will operate approximately 728 weekly flights to 58 destinations this June, up from around 420 weekly flights to 45 cities, Acting CEO Abdulwahab Al-Shatti told Arab Times on May 24, 2026.
Al-Shatti detailed the expanded summer network to Arab Times, which will reach key cities across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North Africa following approvals from relevant authorities. European stops will include London, Paris, Frankfurt, Rome and leisure spots such as Mykonos, Antalya and Sarajevo while Asian routes will cover Delhi, Mumbai, Bangkok, Manila and Colombo. The schedule also adds connections to several Saudi cities, other Gulf hubs and destinations in Egypt and Morocco such as Cairo, Sharm El Sheikh and Casablanca. This growth aligns with regional trends where GCC countries are increasing international air capacity by 3.6 percent compared with the prior year, according to Mabrian analysis published in early 2026.
The airline has canceled around 500,000 tickets since February 28 with only 55 percent of refunds processed so far, Al-Shatti reported to Arab Times. Delays stem from the temporary airspace closure, a surge in requests, government entities operating at about 30 percent capacity and coordination with banks to verify details. Refund volumes rose sharply after airspace reopened and schedules adjusted, straining customer service operations that saw call volumes more than quadruple.
Mounting costs have driven higher ticket prices, with global jet fuel costs rising more than 120 percent and insurance expenses also climbing, according to Al-Shatti. Some increases relate to Special Prorate Agreements under which partner carriers set fares for connecting segments. Longer routes caused by airspace restrictions have raised fuel consumption even on short regional flights, adding to the financial pressures that mirror industry-wide challenges.
A report from Altexsoft on May 26, 2026, noted that airlines are preparing for record summer travel in 2026 despite soaring jet fuel prices linked to Middle East tensions. IATA data indicated that air passenger traffic continued expanding in March 2026 even amid regional disruptions, with Director General Willie Walsh stressing the importance of fuel supply stability for a busy summer season. The GCC outbound travel market is separately projected to reach $80.81 billion in 2026, driven by high-spending families seeking premium and safe experiences, according to El Zayat Consultancy.
The February 28 airspace closure created one of the carrier’s biggest recent tests, stranding aircraft and passengers while triggering an emergency response plan, Al-Shatti explained. Kuwait Airways accommodated transit passengers in hotels at its expense and coordinated with Saudi authorities to route them through Dammam Airport, repatriating about 2,180 Kuwaiti citizens on 15 special flights between March 2 and 13. During the crisis the airline also moved more than 2.4 million kilograms of essential cargo including food, medical supplies and critical medications such as cancer treatments from France.
Customer service teams faced unprecedented demand during the disruptions while frequent schedule changes affected timings, routes and aircraft, Al-Shatti told Arab Times. The carrier continues coordinating closely with the General Authority of Civil Aviation on safety and operational matters. Al-Shatti expressed appreciation for support from Saudi authorities and Tamdeen Company, which assisted via Al-Khairan Mall as a transit hub for Dammam-bound passengers.
