Kuwait and India have signed a new air services agreement, expanding their weekly seat capacity by 50 percent — from 12,000 to 18,000 seats in each direction. This marks the first increase in bilateral air rights for Kuwait since 2006, aiming to support the growing demand for air travel between the two nations. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Sheikh Hamoud Mubarak Al Sabah of Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation and India’s Civil Aviation Secretary, Samir Kumar Sinha.
The deal reflects a joint effort to enhance strategic cooperation in civil aviation and strengthen the air transport market, catering to the evolving needs of travelers. Sheikh Hamoud emphasised that the agreement aligns with broader aviation trends in the Gulf and addresses Kuwait’s longstanding request for expanded air rights. This boost comes amid rising passenger demand, with airlines such as Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Akasa Air already operating close to 40 flights daily on the route.
Indian carriers have swiftly responded to the opportunity, seeking additional seat allocations. IndiGo has requested 5,000 extra seats, Air India Express and Akasa Air have applied for 3,000 seats each, and Air India is eyeing an increase of 1,500 seats. Flights under the new capacity terms are expected to commence in August 2025, with a focus on high-demand routes from Chennai, Kochi, Bengaluru, and Thiruvananthapuram. Indian aviation authorities have called for proposals from airlines by July 21 to facilitate regulatory approvals and slot allotments.
This expanded aviation pact is expected to unlock new commercial opportunities and strengthen people-to-people ties between Kuwait and India. With coordinated efforts from both countries’ aviation sectors, the agreement paves the way for increased connectivity and supports the surging demand for Gulf-India travel. It highlights the evolving dynamics of regional aviation and underscores the mutual commitment of both nations to enhance bilateral relations in the air transport sector.
