India’s domestic airlines are actively restructuring their international flight schedules after the India-Kuwait air services agreement was updated on July 16, raising the weekly seat quota from 12,000 to 18,000. This marks the first increase in nearly two decades and has triggered a swift response from major Indian carriers eager to capitalize on the additional capacity.

Leading carriers including IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air, and Air India Express have confirmed plans to enhance their services to Kuwait International Airport.

• IndiGo is seeking approximately 5,000 additional weekly seats to Kuwait City.
• Air India Express and Akasa Air are each aiming for around 3,000 seats.
• Air India is targeting an increase of 1,500 seats.

Airline executives have reportedly begun coordinating with Kuwait International Airport authorities to secure necessary airport slots ahead of the planned service launch in August 2025.

Focus on Southern Indian Cities with High Demand

New flights are expected to be launched from Chennai, Kochi, Bengaluru, and Thiruvananthapuram, cities known for their strong travel demand to Kuwait, especially among expatriate populations.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked all interested airlines to submit proposals by July 21 to finalize capacity distribution and begin regulatory clearances for the expanded operations.

The air services agreement signed on July 16 marks a pivotal update in India-Kuwait aviation relations, finally increasing the seat allotment after an 18-year freeze. The previous limit of 12,000 weekly seats had long been considered insufficient, with rising demand leading to seat shortages, higher prices, and booking difficulties.