New Delhi: In a major boost for Indian expatriates in Kuwait, the central government has expanded flight connectivity between the two nations by increasing the weekly seat quota from 12,000 to 18,000 a significant 50% rise. This move is expected to ease travel congestion and bring down airfare costs.
The expanded air service will be shared among Indian carriers like Air India, IndiGo, and Aakash Airlines, along with Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways, providing greater flexibility and frequency for travelers on both sides.
This is the second major development involving India-Kuwait ties this week, following the launch of e-visa services for Kuwaiti nationals. Indian missions now offer quick online visas for purposes such as tourism, healthcare, business, yoga, and international conferences with approvals issued within four days.
Historically, the air travel capacity between the two countries was just 8,320 seats weekly, which was raised to 12,000 around 18 years ago. The latest expansion to 18,000 reflects growing demand, especially with nearly seven lakh Malayalis currently employed in Kuwait.
The seat-sharing agreement was formalized in a meeting between India’s Aviation Secretary Sameer Kumar Sinha and Kuwait's DGCA President Sheikh Hamoud Al Mubarak. The move signals India’s intent to deepen bilateral cooperation, building on the momentum of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Kuwait, which aimed to bolster diplomatic and economic ties.