Recently, newspapers astounded readers by revealing that British Airways plans to discontinue its flights to Kuwait within the initial months of the upcoming year. The history of these airlines with Kuwait is long and deeply rooted, much like the relations between the two countries. Before delving into the core of this article, I’ll quote some of what was published in British reports: “British planes first appeared in the Kuwait region in 1919. Before this date, Kuwait had no knowledge of aviation. The earliest beginnings can be traced to the landing of military aircraft belonging to the British Royal Air Force (RAF), which was established by the British government in early April 1918 when the government realized the importance of this new air force. Through it, Britain managed to impose its influence and dominance over several areas in the Arabian Gulf, including Kuwait, which became part of the Gulf territories benefiting from military and civil aviation services. At first, Kuwait did not have an airport, and most flights came from Iraq. Shortly thereafter, Kuwait gained an airstrip capable of accommodating both British civil and military planes. Once Kuwait Airport was established, it began receiving flights from both the East and West, operated by the Imperial Airways.” Setting history aside, let us address the issue of British Airways’ suspension of services, which differs from the German and Dutch airlines that had previously ceased their services to Kuwait. The matter is not just about historical ties with these airlines; British Airways has always been considered the best choice for travel to London and the U.S., offering highly competitive prices. Naturally, Kuwait Airways cannot provide the same level of service offered by British Airways across its three classes. Under the current scenario, it appears that our airport is leaning toward a regional classification rather than striving for global recognition. We are left to rely on available and suitable Gulf airlines instead of others. This raises an ongoing question: What are the reasons behind the decision to suspend international flights to Kuwait? Is it due to the competitive prices offered by Gulf and Turkish airlines? Or are there other factors related to services and pricing provided by civil aviation in Kuwait? The more pressing question is whether there are any plans to restore Kuwait Airport’s status as an attractive hub for international aviation. After Bahrain successfully negotiated the return of British Airways to its airport, we have heard nothing new from Kuwaiti officials on this matter, and it seems the issue is not being given the necessary attention. Kuwait Airways’ services and fleet are limited, and there is no need for great effort to observe the level of service delays, whether in booking operations or coordination with other airlines. Earlier this year, I opted to fly to Hong Kong through Thailand using Kuwait Airways. Despite my intentions, I encountered the inconvenience of having to collect my baggage in Thailand, go through customs, re-enter the departure area, re-check my luggage, and secure a boarding pass for my ultimate stop. A similar ordeal awaited me in Geneva. Sadly, Kuwait Airways limited inter-airline agreements left me baffled and frustrated by the unnecessary complexities. So, what’s the solution? I believe the solution lies in entering strong competition professionally and economically with all players. This could be through establishing new national airlines in partnership with the private sector, as seen in other countries, such as Riyadh Air, which has entered the competition with force. Alternatively, the government could transform Kuwait Airways into an independent company and completely renew its management instead of continuing with the current approach. If the current situation persists, then only God can help.
Stay Safe.