India and Kuwait Sign Air Agreement to Boost Weekly Seats by 50 Per Cent

A high-level bilateral meeting took place on July 15, 2025 in New Delhi between Indian Civil Aviation authorities and Kuwait’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The Indian delegation was led by Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, while the Kuwaiti side was headed by Sheikh Hamoud Mubarak Al Sabah, President of Kuwait’s DGCA.

The gathering was attended by Mishaal Mustafa Al-Shamali, Kuwait’s Ambassador to India; Captain Abdulmohsen Salem Alfagaan, Chairman of Kuwait Airways; Marwan Boodai, Chairman of Jazeera Airways; representatives from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs; and a technical team from the Kuwaiti DGCA. The discussions formed part of ongoing efforts to bolster cooperation in civil aviation and to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations.

The agenda centred on fostering historical ties, sharing technical expertise, reviewing recent developments in the air transport market, and exploring ways to meet the expanding expectations of travellers.

A significant outcome was the signing of a new air services agreement, the first major expansion of bilateral air traffic rights since 2006. Under this new accord, weekly seat capacity between India and Kuwait will increase by 50 per cent, raising the limit from 12,000 to 18,000 seats in each direction. This expansion presents considerable prospects for growth within the aviation sector. Flights under the new capacity are expected to commence in August 2025, with Indian airlines coordinating with Kuwait International Airport to secure the necessary new time slots.

“This agreement reflects our shared commitment to advancing strategic cooperation in civil aviation,” said Al Sabah. “It will support and expand the air transport market for both nations, aligning with the evolving needs of travellers and the future of global aviation.”

Currently, key carriers including Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Akasa Air operate nearly 40 flights daily between India and Kuwait. Kuwait Airways leads the sector with 54 weekly flights, followed closely by IndiGo with 36.

The new agreement is expected to further stimulate growth, with several Indian airlines already expressing interest in increasing their capacity. IndiGo has requested an additional 5,000 weekly seats, while Air India Express and Akasa Air have each sought 3,000. Air India has proposed an increase of 1,500 seats.