Jazeera Airways is planning to offer 60% of its regular capacity in May despite the airspace in its home country of Kuwait still being closed.
With its Kuwait International Airport base shut, Jazeera Airways has shifted its operations to five temporary hubs across Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
Speaking at an online briefing on April 12, Jazeera Airways CEO Barathan Pasupathi said the carrier is ready to return to full operations as soon as authorities permit. Kuwait remains one of the few countries in the Middle East, alongside Iran, to keep its airspace closed following the recent U.S.–Iran conflict, even as much of the region begins a cautious return to normal aviation activity.
“Despite Kuwait International Airport being closed, Jazeera Airways has successfully redeployed its operations with flexibility and efficiency,” he said, adding that the airline has already carried 73,655 passengers through hubs including four in Saudi Arabia—Dammam, Jeddah, Medina, and Qaisumah—as well as Cairo International Airport.
Pasupathi added that the airline is now preparing to restore up to 60% of its operating capacity by May, a period expected to see strong seasonal demand driven by Hajj travel. “We are well-positioned to respond,” he said.
The airline has concentrated much of its activity in Dammam, where 14 aircraft are currently stationed, making Jazeera the largest operator at the city’s airport. In total, the airline has deployed around 450 employees across its hubs and activated 90% of its fleet and crew.
Elsewhere in the region, several countries have begun cautiously reopening airspace, including Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Oman, Qatar and UAE. Damascus Airport has also resumed operations following the reopening of Syrian air corridors.
On April 14, Lebanon also announced it would reopen its skies. Its national carrier, Middle East Airlines (MEA) announced on its site that it will adjust departure times for select outbound flights from Beirut to destinations such as Amman, Dubai and Riyadh, while return flights remain unchanged.
For Jazeera Airways, however, Pasupathi say safety remains the top priority.
“We are doing all of this for Kuwait,” he said. “Our frontline teams are fully committed to supporting our community while maintaining the highest safety standards. Every decision we make is grounded in safety, regulatory compliance, and real demand.”
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