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It is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council and has more than 6 percent of the world’s oil reserves, therefore it’s no surprise that Kuwait is an important business aviation hub with a high number of flights annually. In this article we'll review some of the main operational aspects required for the successful operation of business flights into Kuwait.
There are two other military terminals at Kuwait airport; the Kuwait Air Force terminal and the U.S. military terminal. There is another airport in Kuwait, which is Ali Al Salem Air Base. Operation there is strictly military with regards to both cargo and passenger flights. Operating Permit Landing permits are required for all types of flights operating into Kuwait. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is the authority responsible for issuing overflight and landing permits in Kuwait. While the regulatory lead time required for applying for permits is 72 hours, Kuwait DGCA may issue the permit at shorter notice. Once issued, the permit is valid for 24 hours from the estimated time of arrival.
Kuwait Airport is not a slot-coordinated airport, but it is a congested airport, so securing a parking space through your local ground handling company will be required for the issuance of the landing permit. For this reason, Kuwait Civil Aviation Authority requires nominating the local ground handler in your permit application. Besides the basic information about the aircraft operator and the aircraft itself, information about the purpose of the flight and the receiving party details are necessary for the issuance of the landing permit. Ground Handling Services Kuwait Airways Handling, a subsidiary of Kuwait Airways and National Air Services, is the main commercial ground handler in Kuwait. Royal Aviation is the ground handling provider responsible for serving private and business flights being handled at Sheikh Saad Terminal in Kuwait Airport. At Abdullah Al Mubarak Air Base in KWI Airport, CAV International is the only ground handling company available. Besides the above, there are local supervisory flight support providers who act as station managers who coordinate all the services necessary for the smooth operation of the flight, besides the comfort of the passengers and convenience of the crew. Aviation Fuel Supply Kuwait Aviation Fuel Company (KAFCO) is the only aviation fuel supplier, and is the into-plane supplier in Kuwait. It is owned and operated by the government of Kuwait. KAFCO only accepts payment in cash or by accepted fuel cards, or through credible suppliers who have a supply account with KAFCO. KAFCO does not accept payment by credit card. AVGAS can be supplied in KWI, but requires pre-arrangement.
Visas General Declaration with uniform and crew ID is sufficient for the crew to enter the State of Kuwait. As for passengers, certain nationalities are allowed to enter Kuwait with a visa obtained upon arrival. The list of nationalities includes: USA, UK, France, Italy, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, the Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea and China. Some other nationalities can obtain visas through Kuwait Airways offices, as the airline has an online facility to process the visa through the Ministry of Interior. All other nationals visiting for business are subject to visa rules requiring a local Kuwaiti sponsor for the visa issuance. Concierge Services Kuwait Aviation Services Company (KASCO) is the only inflight catering provider in KWI. Catering cannot be sourced from hotels or restaurants in Kuwait. While Kuwait is a safe and stable country, Iraq, the country on Kuwait’s northern border, suffers from unrest and civil war, which makes pre-assessment of the security measures necessary for comfortable operation for the passengers and crew. KWI airport itself is subject to strict government security measures.
Based on the above, and for ease of communication, it’s better to book chauffeured transportation in advance before arrival rather than relying on an airport taxi. There are many international hotel chains available in Kuwait, in addition to budget hotels. As a general rule, vaccination certificates are not required when entering Kuwait, though travelers arriving from areas infected by cholera and yellow fever may need proof of inoculation. The law of '5Ps' says that 'Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance' - a valuable tip when planning of your international business trip to ensure the satisfaction of your passengers, crew and team. Dr. Adnan Branbo is the Chief Executive Officer of iJET, a flight support service provider based in Malta and Dubai. iJET services include over-flight and landing permits, credit ground support arrangements, and highly competitive aviation fuel. iJET network covers the world, through alliances and relationships with local agents and major suppliers around the world. Adnan can be reached at: adnan@ijet.aero Also in this series: Algeria | Angola | Jordan | Kuwait | Malta | Mauritius | Nigeria | Oman | Qatar | South Korea | Sri Lanka | UAE
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