EgyptAir and flydubai resumed flights from Kuwait International Airport Terminal 4 on June 17 as authorities implemented the first stage of a phased restoration following a drone strike on June 3 that prompted temporary reductions in operations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation outlined limited daily services running from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. with one flight per carrier initially and provisions for gradual increases while full immigration security and ground handling resources were activated at the terminal.
According to the Arab Times the initial phase restricts each airline to a single daily flight with numbers set to expand progressively as conditions allow. EgyptAir will operate its Cairo-Kuwait route while flydubai will serve the Dubai connection under the new arrangements. The Public Authority of Civil Aviation coordinated with ground handling companies to support seamless processing at the 50 activated check-in counters.
Terminal 4 which opened in 2018 features 55,000 square meters and capacity for 4.5 million passengers annually according to AECOM the firm that led its design and construction. The facility was originally built to ease congestion at other airport terminals and includes nine boarding bridges along with dedicated parking for 2,450 vehicles. Its deployment for additional carriers beyond Kuwait Airways reflects adaptive planning amid the current recovery.
Passenger traffic at Kuwait International Airport reached 7.4 million in the first half of 2025 a 3 percent decline from the comparable period the prior year industry data from Zawya indicated. The return of these routes forms part of measures to strengthen connectivity and support traffic recovery. Air Arabia and Emirates are scheduled to begin flights from the same terminal on June 18 under identical operational parameters.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation instructed passengers to arrive three hours before departure and to verify flight details directly with carriers beforehand. Authorities also asked travelers to limit accompanying companions to essential cases only in order to reduce congestion during the early phase. Cargo and private aviation services at the airport have continued without interruption throughout the adjustments.
Similar incremental reopenings took place in April when Terminal 4 hosted limited flights for selected destinations after prior safety reviews. EgyptAir confirmed its daily Cairo service would use flight numbers MS610 and MS611 with all movements routed through Terminal 4. The approach mirrors patterns seen in previous aviation restorations across the region following security incidents.
