Dubai, UAE – In a major step toward enhancing air connectivity, Kuwait and India have signed a revised air services agreement, expanding weekly seat capacity by 50%. The new pact raises the cap from 12,000 to 18,000 seats per week in each direction, marking the first increase in bilateral flying rights for Kuwait since 2006.
The agreement was formalized by Sheikh Hamoud Mubarak Al Sabah, President of Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and Samir Kumar Sinha, India’s Civil Aviation Secretary, according to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).
Describing the deal as a milestone, Sheikh Hamoud stated,
“It will support and expand the air transport market for both nations, with a focus on meeting the expectations of travellers and aligning with the evolving dynamics of the aviation industry.”
The increase comes amid surging travel demand between the two countries, with current capacities stretched for months. Presently, airlines like Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Akasa Air operate nearly 40 daily flights on this busy route.
Kuwait Airways leads operations with 54 weekly flights, while IndiGo follows with 36. The expanded rights are expected to go into effect by August 2025, with priority given to high-traffic cities in southern India including Chennai, Kochi, Bengaluru, and Thiruvananthapuram.
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation has requested airline proposals by July 21 to allocate additional capacity. IndiGo is reportedly seeking an extra 5,000 seats, with Air India Express and Akasa Air requesting 3,000 each. Air India plans a 1,500-seat increase.
This development aligns with wider Gulf-region aviation trends, where Indian travel demand continues to grow, especially from Dubai and other major hubs.
