Owais Crawford
Kuwait International Airport has been closed several times since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The airport reopened for outbound flights only in April 2020, and later reopened for international flights on 1 January 2021, with a travel ban on 35 countries. The airport was closed again in December 2020, reopening on 2 January 2021 with similar restrictions. In July 2021, the airport was set to reopen for residents, but challenges remained for unvaccinated individuals, as Kuwait had implemented a no-vaccine-no-entry policy. Kuwait International Airport resumed commercial flights on 1 August 2021, operating at a maximum of 30% capacity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Reopening | 1st August 2021, 1st January 2022 |
| Vaccination Requirements | Yes, must be fully vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson or Moderna |
| PCR Test | Required 96 hours prior to departure |
| App Registration | Required on 'Shlonik' and 'Kuwait Mosafer' applications |
| Quarantine | 14-day home quarantine upon arrival |
| Health Insurance | Required |
| Pledge Form | Required via the Kuwait Mosafer platform |
| Travel Ban | 35 countries still prohibited |
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What You'll Learn
Kuwait International Airport's reopening and closure history
Kuwait International Airport has had a turbulent time in recent years, with several temporary closures and reopenings.
On December 21, 2020, the Kuwaiti government abruptly announced the closure of its airport and borders within 12 hours, leaving many Kuwaiti citizens and residents stranded abroad. The airport resumed operations on January 2, 2021, with new health measures in place, including mandatory PCR tests and quarantine requirements for travellers. However, a travel ban on 35 countries, including the United Kingdom, remained in effect due to the emergence of a new strain of COVID-19.
In July 2021, it was announced that the airport would reopen to foreigners as of August 1, but only for those who were fully vaccinated with vaccines recognised by Kuwait. This posed challenges for some individuals, particularly those who were unvaccinated or stranded in countries like the United Arab Emirates, where they faced difficulties in obtaining recognised vaccines as temporary visitors.
On March 8, 2025, Kuwait International Airport faced an unexpected technical issue, leading to another temporary suspension of all flight operations. Several flights were rerouted to nearby airports in Saudi Arabia to ensure passenger safety. While flight services resumed shortly after, with the arrivals section becoming operational, authorities did not disclose detailed information about the technical issue.
These instances highlight the dynamic nature of travel restrictions and the challenges faced by travellers and authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. The closures and reopenings of Kuwait International Airport have had significant impacts on individuals, with stories of residents eager to return home and families awaiting their remittances.
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Health measures for travellers
Kuwait International Airport has implemented several health measures for travellers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are the health protocols that travellers should be aware of:
Testing and Quarantine Requirements:
Before departure, travellers must undergo a PCR test within 96 hours. Additionally, they are mandated to register on the 'Shlonik' application and adhere to a 14-day home quarantine upon their arrival in Kuwait. Those travelling from one of the 35 prohibited countries, including the United Kingdom, must complete a 14-day quarantine in a non-banned country before entering Kuwait.
Vaccination Status:
Kuwait has a "no-vaccine-no-entry" policy. All residents returning to Kuwait are required to be fully vaccinated with vaccines recognised by the country, namely Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna.
Health Insurance and Pledge Form:
Kuwaiti travellers departing from the country must obtain health insurance and sign a pledge form through the 'Kuwait Mosafer' platform. They are also advised to check the PCR test requirements of their destination country.
Yellow Fever Certificate:
In accordance with the International Health Regulations 2005, travellers arriving from countries or areas at risk of yellow fever must present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. The certificate should indicate that the individual was vaccinated at least 10 days and no more than 10 years before their arrival.
Polio Vaccination:
All visitors under 15 years of age, travelling to Kuwait from countries reporting poliovirus, should be vaccinated with the OPV or IPV vaccine. Proof of vaccination is required six weeks before applying for an entry visa.
General Health Guidelines:
The authorities advise travellers to follow standard public health guidelines, including hand hygiene, using disposable tissues, avoiding touching the face, maintaining physical distance, and wearing masks, especially in crowded places.
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Travel ban on 35 countries
Kuwait International Airport was set to reopen on 1 August 2021, but there were challenges for unvaccinated travellers. The airport implemented a no-vaccine-no-entry policy, requiring all residents to be fully vaccinated with jabs recognised by Kuwait. This included the Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna vaccines.
On 28 December 2020, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced that the airport would reopen on 2 January 2021, following a 10-day halt. However, a travel ban on 35 countries was still in effect. The United Kingdom was the latest addition to the list of banned countries due to the detection of a new strain of the COVID-19 virus that spread faster than the existing virus.
On 20 February 2021, Kuwait lifted the travel ban on the 35 "high-risk" countries. From 21 February 2021, passengers were allowed to travel directly to Kuwait from these countries. However, they were required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine at a hotel at their own expense and bear the cost of two PCR tests, one upon arrival and another at the end of quarantine. Prior to their arrival, all passengers had to show proof of hotel reservation and registration on the Kuwait Mosafer application.
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Challenges for unvaccinated travellers
Kuwait International Airport has been subject to various closures and restrictions throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. While the airport has reopened multiple times, including on 2 January 2021, these reopenings have often coincided with the implementation of new health measures and travel restrictions.
One of the key challenges for unvaccinated travellers amid the pandemic has been Kuwait's "no-vaccine-no-entry" policy. This policy, which came into effect on 1 August 2021, requires all returning residents to be fully vaccinated with vaccines recognised by Kuwait, namely Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and Moderna. This measure has posed significant challenges for Kuwait-based workers and students stranded in countries like the UAE and the Philippines, who are unable to obtain vaccines in their current locations.
The "no-vaccine-no-entry" policy has resulted in stranded workers and students, unable to return to Kuwait due to their unvaccinated status. This has had economic implications, with some individuals unable to work and support their families back home. It has also led to emotional distress, with families separated for extended periods.
Additionally, prior to the rollout of vaccines, Kuwait had a third-country quarantine rule in place. This rule required residents from certain countries to spend 14 days in a third country before arriving in Kuwait. While this rule was later cancelled, it initially led to many residents choosing Dubai as their quarantine destination. However, when Kuwait abruptly imposed a flight ban, it left hundreds, if not thousands, of Kuwait-based workers stranded in the Emirates.
Another challenge for unvaccinated travellers is the dynamic nature of travel restrictions. Kuwait has implemented travel bans on specific countries, such as the United Kingdom, in response to new strains of the COVID-19 virus. These travel bans can be sudden and unpredictable, impacting travel plans and causing uncertainty for those wishing to enter or return to Kuwait.
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Impact on US citizens
The impact of Kuwait's airport closures on US citizens has been significant. In February 2021, the Kuwaiti government extended a ban on the entry of non-Kuwaiti citizens, which included US citizens, resulting in an extended airport closure for those individuals. This caused travel disruptions for US citizens with plans to enter Kuwait, leaving some stranded in other countries.
The US Embassy in Kuwait advised US citizens to stay updated on travel restrictions and encouraged enrollment in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive safety and security alerts. They also recommended that those planning to return their voted ballots to the US via the embassy do so as soon as possible, as mail to the United States may experience delays.
The closure and restrictions particularly impacted US citizens with family or work ties to Kuwait. Some Kuwait-based workers found themselves stranded in other countries, such as the Emirates, due to the sudden changes in entry requirements. This situation caused financial and emotional hardships, with individuals unable to work and separated from their families.
Additionally, the airport closures and restrictions affected travel plans for US citizens intending to visit Kuwait for tourism or other purposes. They had to continuously monitor the evolving situation and adhere to the health and safety protocols implemented by the Kuwaiti government, such as mandatory PCR tests, institutional quarantine, and the use of specific applications for registration and tracking.
The dynamic nature of the pandemic and the resulting policy changes by the Kuwaiti government underscored the importance of US citizens staying informed and prepared for potential disruptions to their travel plans. The US Embassy played a crucial role in providing timely information and guidance to affected citizens during this challenging period.
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Frequently asked questions
Kuwait International Airport reopened for outbound flights on April 14, 2020.
Kuwait International Airport reopened for residents on August 1, 2021, with a "no-vaccine-no entry" policy in place.
Kuwait International Airport reopened on January 1, 2022, for international commercial flights, with a ban on direct entry from 35 countries.
