Airport disruption and periodic airspace restrictions in Kuwait

Timeline

1. September 8, 2026

   Kuwait was directly struck for the first time in this phase of the conflict: following US strikes on Iran on 1 September, Iran launched drones and missiles toward Kuwait that its air defences engaged, and a drone hit a residential complex in Kuwait City on 2 September, sparking a fire that was brought under control with no casualties or injuries reported, part of the same retaliatory wave that also hit US-linked bases in Bahrain and the UAE. Kuwait-bound connectivity has been recovering unevenly since: by 5 September, Emirates and flydubai's Kuwait services and Etihad's Abu Dhabi-Kuwait route were mostly operating on schedule, while Air Arabia continued cancelling some Sharjah- and Abu Dhabi-Kuwait flights. Given the direct drone strike on Kuwaiti soil, this alert's severity is raised from elevated to severe. The broader conflict escalated further on 6-7 September with US strikes on Iranian oil tankers and Iran's announcement of a new "restricted zone" near the Strait of Hormuz; EASA's advisory against Kuwaiti airspace has been extended through 30 September 2026. Kuwait International Airport remains open (Terminal 1 still closed for repairs).

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2. August 29, 2026

   Kuwait-bound connectivity showed further partial normalization on 28 August: Emirates' EK857 Dubai-Kuwait and Etihad's EY653 Abu Dhabi-Kuwait flights both operated as scheduled, continuing the resumption that began 24 August, though Air Arabia cancelled its Sharjah-Kuwait (G9068, G9124) and Abu Dhabi-Kuwait (3L020) services the same day, showing recovery remains uneven by carrier. Separately, US Central Command declared on 27 August that Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes had been cleared of Iranian mines, part of a broader, still-contested regional de-escalation trend; no new missile or drone activity affecting Kuwait has been reported. EASA's advisory to avoid Kuwaiti airspace entirely remains in force through 31 August; Kuwait International Airport remains open (Terminal 1 still closed for repairs). Verify flights directly with your airline before travelling.

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3. August 24, 2026

   Emirates resumed Dubai-Kuwait service on 24 August with one daily flight (EK857), reduced from four daily pre-crisis. Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways, and Etihad (one daily Abu Dhabi-Kuwait flight) continued operating throughout. Connectivity has not yet returned to pre-disruption levels. EASA's advisory to avoid Kuwait airspace entirely remains in force through 31 August, unchanged; Kuwait airport is open for arrivals/departures only, with overflights still prohibited. Verify flights before travelling.

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4. August 23, 2026

   Emirates resumed Dubai-Kuwait service on 24 August with one daily flight (EK857, departs Dubai 14:55, arrives Kuwait 15:45) - down from four daily pre-crisis. Etihad separately resumed one daily Abu Dhabi-Kuwait flight (EY653, 08:10-09:00). Kuwait Airways and Jazeera maintained multiple daily UAE-Kuwait flights throughout the disruption. This is a partial normalization, but schedules remain heavily reduced and EASA's airspace advisory for Kuwait stays in force through 31 August, so delays and last-minute changes should still be expected.

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5. August 19, 2026

   Gulf tensions escalated sharply: UAE air defences detected two ballistic missiles launched from Iran toward Strait of Hormuz maritime navigation routes on 19 August, and Iran rejected a proposed ceasefire, demanding an end to hostilities. EASA escalated its advisory to recommend operators avoid Kuwait's airspace entirely ('at all levels'), alongside Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and the Gulf of Oman west of 58°E, through 31 August. Kuwait International Airport remains open, with Kuwait Airways, Jazeera Airways and Qatar Airways continuing to operate services; Emirates services to Kuwait remain suspended. Verify flights directly with your airline before travelling.

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6. August 18, 2026

   Emirates services to Kuwait remain suspended, even as its Bahrain route is set to resume. Qatar Airways continues its resumed daily Kuwait service. Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways continue operating multiple daily services to Dubai and Abu Dhabi from Terminals 4 and 5, with Terminal 1 still closed for repairs.

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7. August 13, 2026

   Etihad's Abu Dhabi-Kuwait service remained scheduled for 13 August, unlike its Bahrain route which was cancelled that day for operational reasons. Kuwait International Airport continues operating with Terminal 1 still closed for repairs; conditions are broadly consistent with the prior update.

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8. August 9, 2026

   Etihad and Qatar Airways have resumed limited daily services to Kuwait since 8 August after weeks of suspension; Emirates services remain suspended. Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways continue operating with frequent reschedules from Terminals 4 and 5 while Terminal 1 remains closed for repairs. The airspace and airport remain open overall, though Kuwait imposes brief precautionary closures during active missile and drone threats.

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9. August 6, 2026

   Etihad and Qatar Airways announced plans to resume one daily flight each to Kuwait from 8 August, ending weeks of suspension that began amid regional US-Iran tensions in mid-July.

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