To maintain the supply of fresh fruits, vegetables and meat in Kuwait, Kuwait Airways has operated special cargo flights from India. On March 12, 2026, a total of 82 tonnes of food items were sent to Kuwait from Kochi and Delhi. Due to difficulties in sea routes, Lulu Group has arranged for these special flights so that there is no shortage of food items in the markets of Kuwait and prices remain stable.
Which flights flew from India to Kuwait?
Planes flew to Kuwait from two big cities of India. Different types of essential items have been sent in both these flights.
Kochi Airport (Flight KU5006): The Airbus A330-900 aircraft left from here at 10:40 am on March 12. 32 tonnes of fresh fruits and vegetables were sent in it. This plane had arrived here from Kuwait a day earlier without any passengers.
Delhi Airport (Flight KU5008): A Boeing 777 aircraft took off from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport at 11:00 am for Kuwait carrying 50 tonnes of meat and other essential items.
Kochi Airport (CIAL) management said that the airport has provided full assistance to the farmers of Kerala in sending the agricultural produce which was stuck due to cancellation of flights.
Why did we have to resort to special flights?
Due to security tension in the Gulf region, there are a lot of problems on sea and air routes. It had become very difficult to send goods from India to Kuwait due to closure of many normal shipping routes.
Due to these problems and lack of space for cargo, air freight fares have also increased significantly. The fare which was earlier around ₹60 per kg, has now increased to more than ₹215 per kg.
Lulu Group used these widebody aircraft as cargo flights to prevent shortage of goods at its hypermarket in Kuwait. With the arrival of these planes at Kuwait International Airport, the crisis of food items has been averted.
Will there be more flights going forward?
Lulu Group officials have made it clear that this is an important step to maintain food security in Kuwait. Work on further planning is also going on.
In the coming days, there are preparations to run special cargo flights from other Indian cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru. Similar goods will be imported from other countries of the world also.
Similar arrangements were made for UAE last week. This move will provide great relief to expatriates and ordinary citizens living in Kuwait who need fresh fruits and vegetables every day.