Sachin Walls
Kuwait International Airport, located in Farwaniya Governorate, Kuwait, has been ranked as one of the worst airports in the world by several travellers. Despite being located in one of the richest countries, the airport is notorious for its poor infrastructure, unprofessional staff, long security queues, limited charging ports, and expensive amenities. Travellers have also complained about the lack of interest and rude behaviour of the airport authorities, making it an unpleasant experience for those transiting through the airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Staff Behaviour | Rude, uninterested, and unhelpful |
| Queue Management | Long and disorganized queues for security and emigration |
| Amenities | Lack of charging ports, limited food options, and expensive smoking areas |
| Comfort | Strong air conditioning |
| Access | Poor roads and limited parking |
| Efficiency | Delays in processing passengers and issuing boarding passes |
| Capacity | Overcrowding and frequent overcapacity issues |
| Historical Issues | Suspended commercial flights during the COVID-19 pandemic |
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What You'll Learn
Poor airport facilities
Kuwait International Airport, located in Farwaniya Governorate, Kuwait, has been criticised for its poor facilities. Despite being located in one of the richest countries in the world, the airport has been described as one of the worst in the world by some passengers.
One of the main issues is the lack of organisation and poor management, resulting in long and chaotic queues for security and immigration. Staff in positions of authority, such as immigration, have been described as slow, uninterested, and even rude to passengers. The immigrant workers are said to work hard but are poorly managed and lack proper guidance.
The airport also struggles with poor road access, with clogged roads leading to and from the airport. The parking situation is less than ideal, contributing to the overall poor access to the airport.
Additionally, the airport falls short in terms of passenger amenities. There are limited dining options, with one person commenting that they were unable to find anything edible during their extended stay at the airport. The availability of charging points for electronic devices is also scarce, and accessing a smoking lounge comes at a steep price of $40 for four hours, with mediocre food and a lack of charging facilities.
The airport has also faced challenges with capacity, leading to instances of overcapacity and flight diversions to the Sheikh Saad Terminal. Plans for expansion have been proposed, with the construction of a new terminal expected to increase the airport's capacity to handle a higher volume of passengers and aircraft.
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Rude and unhelpful staff
While some people have reported positive experiences at Kuwait Airport, with one person commenting that everyone was "so nice and helpful", others have had notably negative experiences. Several passengers have complained about rude and unhelpful staff at the airport. One passenger reported that the staff were “slow, not interested, and [that] you as a passenger/customer, are there to get in the way of their time spent on the phones or chatting". Another passenger claimed that the staff were "rude" and "don't care about other country people". They also stated that a female member of staff shouted at them without any reason.
Some passengers have also complained about the lack of facilities at the airport. One passenger noted that there were few Duty-Free shops and only one coffee shop. They also mentioned that the air conditioning was very strong and freezing, and that the only lounge available required a payment of $40 for just one hour of access. In addition, the passenger complained about the high prices of beverages and snacks.
Another passenger reported a similar experience, stating that they had to pay $40 to access a "lame buffet" and a smoking area. They also mentioned that the food was not worth the price and that they could not even find a charger in the smoking room. This passenger concluded that their overall experience at Kuwait Airport was "very pleasant", despite the inconveniences.
It is worth noting that these reviews are not verified and may not reflect the most recent developments at the airport. However, they do provide insight into the experiences of passengers who have transited through Kuwait Airport.
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Lack of food options
While Kuwait Airport does offer some food options, reviews suggest that the choices are limited and overpriced. One reviewer on SKYTRAX, who had a long layover, complained that they had to book a hotel outside the airport and were not provided with any meals during their extended stay. They also mentioned that there was no place in the vicinity of the airport to buy something edible.
Another reviewer on SKYTRAX noted that the only food options available to them during their layover were a few duty-free shops and a single coffee shop. They also mentioned that the prices of beverages and snacks were very expensive.
A separate review on SKYTRAX mentions that, for a $40 fee, travellers can access a buffet and a smoking area. However, the reviewer felt that the food options were not worth the price, describing them as "dry", with only "two salads and two different pot foods". The same review also criticised the quality and taste of the machine coffee.
Overall, while there are some food options available at Kuwait Airport, the limited choices and high prices may be a source of frustration for travellers, especially those with long layovers or who are looking for more diverse or higher-quality dining options.
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Long queues and poor crowd management
Kuwait International Airport, located in Farwaniya Governorate, Kuwait, is the 11th busiest airport in the Middle East, serving over 13 million passengers annually. While some passengers have reported positive experiences, others have criticised the airport for long queues and poor crowd management.
One of the main issues reported by travellers is the lengthy and disorganised security lines. Passengers have complained about the lack of efficiency and interest from immigration staff, resulting in extended wait times. The problem is exacerbated by the growing number of passengers, leading to overcrowding and a perceived lack of adequate crowd control measures.
The airport's capacity constraints have been recognised, and expansion plans have been proposed to address the issue. In 2011, the Kuwaiti authorities announced the construction of a new terminal to increase passenger handling capacity to 14 million, with the potential to expand further to accommodate 25 million passengers. However, as of 2025, the new terminal has not been completed, and the airport continues to struggle with managing the high volume of travellers.
Adding to the challenges, the airport's access roads are reportedly congested, making it difficult for passengers to reach the airport and contributing to longer queues within the terminal. The parking situation is also less than ideal, though specific details are scarce.
The combination of inefficient security checks, inadequate infrastructure, and high passenger traffic has resulted in a perception of poor crowd management at Kuwait International Airport. These factors have led to negative experiences for travellers, with some recommending avoiding lengthy layovers at the airport whenever possible.
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Inaccessible charging points
One passenger review highlights the issue, stating that they "couldn't even find a charger" in the smoking room, for which they had paid a $40 access fee. This lack of charging facilities is a significant inconvenience for those transiting through the airport, especially considering the lengthy wait times experienced in other areas of the airport.
Long queues at immigration and security checkpoints are a common complaint, with passengers reporting that they often have to wait for hours with no access to charging facilities. This can be particularly problematic for those who need to use their electronic devices during their time in the airport, whether for work or entertainment, as they may be left with depleted batteries and no means to recharge them.
The issue of inaccessible charging points is exacerbated by the reported disinterest and poor management of airport staff. Passengers have recounted experiences of inefficient and unhelpful immigration and security personnel, who appear more focused on their phones or chatting with colleagues than on processing passengers in a timely manner. This lack of urgency contributes to the extended wait times and further highlights the need for accessible charging solutions within the airport.
The overall experience at Kuwait Airport is negatively impacted by the lack of accessible charging points, adding to the existing challenges of poor organisation, rude staff, and subpar lounges and services. These issues collectively contribute to Kuwait Airport's reputation as one of the worst airports in the world, despite Kuwait being one of the richest countries.
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Frequently asked questions
Kuwait Airport is considered bad due to a variety of reasons, including rude staff, poor management, long queues, limited charging points, and a lack of food options.
Some travellers have praised the FlyDubai terminal, describing it as "decent". Others have reported quick e-visa processes and smooth overall experiences.
Travellers have noted that the airport falls behind other airports in the same region, citing better organisation, staff attitudes, and amenities at competitor airports.
Suggested improvements include increased staff training to improve efficiency and customer service, better access to charging points, and a wider range of food and beverage options.
