Kuwait Airport Reopens

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Kuwait International Airport is set to gradually resume flight operations starting Sunday, following a temporary suspension of air traffic that began on 28 February as a precautionary measure amid regional tensions and a series of reported drone attacks targeting critical aviation infrastructure.

According to official and media reports, the airport and surrounding facilities were subjected to multiple drone incursions over recent weeks, which authorities described as deliberate violations of Kuwait’s airspace and sovereignty. The incidents reportedly disrupted air navigation systems, caused flight suspensions, and led to material damage across several installations, though no major loss of life was recorded.

One of the most significant incidents involved a drone strike on a fuel storage tank inside Kuwait International Airport, which resulted in a large fire. Emergency response teams managed to bring the blaze under control after extensive firefighting operations, preventing further escalation. Authorities confirmed that the damage was primarily material.

Following the incident, rapid response teams from civil defense, the national fire service, and supporting military units worked to contain the situation, secure the site, and assess structural damage.

In response to the escalating situation, Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Iranian ambassador on multiple occasions, submitting formal protest notes condemning what it described as repeated attacks on national infrastructure, including airport fuel facilities, and demanding an immediate halt to such actions.

Senior government officials, including the Minister of Defense, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister, and the Prime Minister, conducted on-site inspections of Kuwait International Airport and its affected facilities throughout March. These visits focused on assessing damage, reviewing emergency response operations, and ensuring continuity of critical aviation services. Officials praised the swift action of emergency teams and emphasized the importance of enhancing preventive security measures at vital installations.

The General Fire Force later announced full containment of a major fire at fuel storage tanks after 58 hours of continuous operations, supported by military and oil sector firefighting units. Subsequent incidents reportedly included additional drone activity affecting radar systems and other airport infrastructure, requiring urgent technical recovery and system rehabilitation efforts.

On 1 April, Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation reported another incident involving a drone strike on fuel tanks, which again caused a large fire and infrastructure damage but no casualties. Emergency teams responded immediately, with initial assessments confirming that the impact remained limited to physical infrastructure.