Kuwait International Airport
Kuwait International Airport is located 24 miles from Kuwait City and is the emirate’s only air arrivals hub. The facility is a joint civilian/military airport and holds the headquarters of Kuwait’s Air Force, as well as an interesting museum. The complex is a base for national flagship carrier Kuwait Air, as well as for Jazeera Airways and handles well over eight million passengers a year. A massive regeneration process was carried out 10 years ago, and a new terminal to increase the airport’s capacity is currently under construction, due to open in 2014.
United Airlines is the only US carrier that flies here with one route from Washington, but Kuwait Airlines offers flights from New York. Several European airlines fly from major cities, with British Airways offering a direct connection from London Heathrow, KLM flying from Amsterdam and Lufthansa coming from Frankfurt. Kuwait Airways also flies to Rome, Frankfurt, Geneva, and Paris. The majority of other routes are provided by Middle Eastern and low-cost carriers, and link regional destinations across the Arab states, as well as several North African destinations.
Passenger facilities at the airport’s single terminal include two full-service banks, several ATMs, an office with telephone and fax services, two cell phone rental companies, a nursery and kids’ zone, prayer rooms, and a medical center. There are wheelchairs, assistance for the disabled and reserved car parking spaces. Business and VIP lounges offer internet access, and courier and secretarial services, as well as a conference room at the on-site hotel.
Under Kuwaiti law, passengers with more than an eight-hour wait for their connection are given a free room at the on-site hotel. Comprehensive shopping opportunities including duty-free outlets are found in the terminal’s recently-built Commercial Center’s main plaza located adjacent to the terminal, with short and long-term parking in a connected building with a wide choice of cafés and restaurants. Onward transportation is via taxi, car rental or local bus. A limo service can also be arranged on request.