Lois Larson
Kuwait International Airport, located in the Farwaniya Governorate, Kuwait, has been operational since 1927-1928. The airport currently handles over 13 million passengers annually and has been undergoing extensions since 2011 to accommodate more passengers and aircraft. In December 2012, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Public Works announced plans for a new terminal with an estimated cost of $3.2 billion, which was projected to be completed by the end of 2016. Over the years, the airport has introduced new terminals, including Terminal 5 for Jazeera Airways in 2018 and Terminal 4 for Kuwait Airways in 2018, enhancing its capacity and efficiency. By 2026, the airport is expected to have five operational, numbered terminals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kuwait International Airport |
| Location | Farwaniya Governorate, Kuwait |
| Distance from Kuwait City centre | 15.5 km |
| Year opened | 1927-1928 |
| Current main airport structure designer | Kenzo Tange |
| Current main airport structure opened | 1979 |
| New terminal completion estimated cost | 900 million Kuwaiti dinar ($3.2 billion) |
| New terminal estimated completion year | 2016 |
| Terminal 4 designer | AECOM |
| Terminal 4 builder | Cengiz Insaat and First Kuwaiti Contractor |
| Terminal 4 inauguration date | 8 August 2018 |
| Terminal 4 area | 55,000 square meters |
| Terminal 4 capacity | 4.5 million passengers annually |
| Terminal 4 parking spaces | 2,450 |
| Terminal 5 airline | Jazeera Airways |
| Terminal 5 inauguration date | May 2018 |
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What You'll Learn
Terminal 5 opened in May 2018
Terminal 5 at Kuwait International Airport opened on 22 May 2018. The terminal is exclusively used by Jazeera Airways, a Kuwait-based budget airline. It is located directly adjacent to and connected to the existing main building, but features dedicated arrival and departure areas, customs, and all supporting functions. This alleviates congestion at the main building.
The opening of Terminal 5 was a significant milestone in the expansion and modernisation of Kuwait International Airport, reflecting the country's commitment to improving its aviation infrastructure. The airport, located in the Farwaniya Governorate, Kuwait, is 15.5 kilometres (9.6 mi) south of the centre of Kuwait City. It was first launched in 1927–1928 and was originally envisioned as a stop for British planes en route to British India. The current main airport structure, designed by Kenzo Tange, opened in 1979.
Over time, the airport has expanded and modernised to accommodate more passengers and aircraft. In 2011, the Department of Civil Aviation announced plans to extend the airport to increase its capacity. In December 2012, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Public Works announced that a new terminal would be completed by the end of 2016, with an estimated cost of around 900 million Kuwaiti dinar ($3.2 billion). However, construction delays pushed back the completion date.
On 22 May 2018, Terminal 5 opened, providing Jazeera Airways with its own dedicated terminal. All Jazeera arrivals began using the new terminal immediately, while departing flights transitioned from the current terminal between 22 and 27 May. By 27 May 2018, all departing and arriving Jazeera flights were handled exclusively at Terminal 5.
The addition of Terminal 5 improved the efficiency and comfort of the travel experience for Jazeera Airways passengers. It also allowed for better management of the increasing air traffic at Kuwait International Airport, ensuring a smoother flow of passengers and reducing congestion in the main terminal building.
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Terminal 4 opened in August 2018
Terminal 4 at Kuwait International Airport was inaugurated on 8 August 2018. The terminal is exclusively used by Kuwait Airways, Kuwait's national carrier. The terminal was designed by the Spanish branch of the American company AECOM and constructed by a joint venture between Cengiz Insaat and First Kuwaiti Contractor. It spans over 55,000 square meters and is located adjacent to the airport's cargo-handling facilities. The terminal features a bright, double-height departures/arrivals hall, with patterns based on Kuwaiti motifs featured on the walls.
The addition of Terminal 4 marked a significant milestone in the expansion and modernisation of Kuwait International Airport, reflecting the country's commitment to improving its aviation infrastructure in line with global standards. The terminal was built to address the issue of the airport being over capacity, with more than 13 million passengers passing through in 2016, far exceeding its capacity. The new terminal can accommodate an additional 4.5 million passengers per year, easing congestion at Terminal 1. It also provides 2,450 additional car parking spaces in a dedicated surface lot adjacent to the terminal, connected by a bridge.
The construction of Terminal 4 began in May 2017 and was completed in a record time of four months. It is the first time that a foreign company has been permitted to operate a terminal at the airport, which is wholly owned by the Kuwaiti government. The project was completed with a tight deadline, and digital tools were critical to effective and efficient co-working between the designer, client, and contractor. For example, cloud-based tools and specific add-ons were developed to create automated workflows for analysing and digesting large amounts of data, while 3D modelling improved coordination between all stakeholders.
Terminal 4 is environmentally sustainable and aims to achieve LEED Gold certification. It is one of the world's largest environmentally friendly airport projects and forms an essential part of Kuwait Vision 2035.
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Terminal 3 was shut down
Kuwait International Airport, located in the Farwaniya Governorate, Kuwait, is one of the busiest airports in the Middle East. Over the years, the airport has undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate the growing number of passengers and aircraft.
In 2011, the Department of Civil Aviation announced plans to extend the airport to increase its annual passenger handling capacity. As part of this expansion, the construction of a new terminal, designed by Foster + Partners, was scheduled to begin in 2012, with an estimated completion date of 2016. This new terminal was expected to increase the airport's capacity to handle up to 25 million passengers annually.
During the construction phase, the Kuwait International Airport faced challenges in managing the increasing air traffic and passenger volume. To address this, the Director of Operations Management in the General Administration of Civil Aviation, Essam Al-Zamil, announced in May 2013 that some flights would be diverted to the Sheikh Saad Terminal to alleviate congestion in the main terminal. This temporary measure highlighted the urgent need for the new terminal's completion.
Terminal 3, originally known as the Sheikh Saad General Aviation Terminal, played a crucial role during this transitional period. However, its operations were impacted by the ongoing construction in Terminal 2. Terminal 3 was a smaller facility exclusively used by Aegean Airlines and flydubai before its shutdown. The closure of Terminal 3 was a necessary step to centralize operations and improve efficiency during the expansion project.
The shutdown of Terminal 3 allowed for the consolidation of resources and improved management of flight operations during the construction phase. By diverting flights to other terminals and temporarily reducing the number of operational terminals, the airport authorities could focus on completing the new terminal project while ensuring the smooth handling of passenger traffic. This decision demonstrated the dynamic nature of airport management and the continuous efforts to balance construction projects with the needs of airlines and passengers.
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Kuwait Airport expansion plans
Kuwait International Airport is undergoing a large-scale expansion and modernisation project to transform it into a new regional air hub in the Gulf. The project is being developed in phases, with the first phase expected to increase the airport's annual passenger handling capacity from 13 million to 14 million, and subsequent phases aiming to further expand capacity to between 25 million and 50 million passengers per year.
The expansion plans include the development of a new passenger terminal (Terminal 2), a third runway, and the expansion and renovation of the two existing runways and other facilities. Terminal 2 is being constructed in three phases, with the first phase expected to add a capacity of 13 million passengers per year. The new terminal is designed to be environmentally sustainable and aims to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, with notable features such as photovoltaic panels on the roof to harness solar energy. The design of the terminal is inspired by local art, architecture, and materials, with construction materials that are responsive to the region's hot climate.
In addition to the new terminal, Kuwait International Airport has also inaugurated new terminals to cater to specific airlines. Terminal 4, which opened in August 2018, is exclusively used by Kuwait Airways and can handle 4.5 million passengers annually. Jazeera Airways also launched its own dedicated terminal, Terminal 5, in May 2018, which features dedicated arrival and departure areas to alleviate congestion in the main building.
The expansion project involves various companies and specialists, including Ineco, Gulf Consult, Foster+Partners, Arup, NACO, and Parsons Brinckerhoff. The project aims to modernise the airport and drive economic growth in Kuwait, in line with the country's economic strategy to maximise non-oil-related activities and engage more with the private sector. By 2026, Kuwait International Airport is expected to have five operational, numbered terminals.
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Abdullah Al-Mubarak Air Base
Kuwait International Airport, located in the Farwaniya Governorate, Kuwait, is home to the Abdullah Al-Mubarak Air Base. This air base is part of the Kuwait International Airport complex and is situated near Kuwait City. The air base is strategically positioned along the tip of the Persian Gulf.
In 2019, a significant change took place at Abdullah Al-Mubarak Air Base. After more than 20 years of operation, the gateway used by the US Air Force and coalition forces was replaced with the opening of Cargo City. Cargo City is located adjacent to a newly constructed ramp on the western side of Kuwait International Airport. The 387th Air Expeditionary Group operates Cargo City, and the 5th Expeditionary Air Mobility Squadron provides essential services such as maintenance for military and contract flights.
The opening of Cargo City marked a turning point for the air base, and it serves as an interim location until the New Mubarak Military Base is completed. The construction of the New Mubarak Military Base is tied to the expansion plans for Kuwait International Airport, which includes the addition of a third runway and a corresponding military ramp. The air base is an integral part of the airport's infrastructure and contributes to its overall functionality and security.
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Frequently asked questions
Terminal 4 was inaugurated on 8 August 2018.
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Public Works estimated the cost to be around 900 million Kuwaiti dinar ($3.2 billion).
Terminal 4 can handle 4.5 million passengers annually.
