An important meeting has taken place between Jazeera Airways and the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL). The main objective of this meeting was to restart flights between Kuwait City and Colombo. In this discussion, it has been considered to start connecting flights to India also by making Colombo a hub. This step has been taken keeping in mind that the expatriates going to India and Sri Lanka are facing a lot of problems due to the current closure of Kuwait Airport.
What is the current status of Kuwait Airport?
Flights from Kuwait International Airport (KWI) are completely suspended due to a drone attack that occurred on 28 February 2026. Flights will start only when Kuwait’s DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) gives approval regarding security.
Jazeera Airways CEO Barathan Pasupathi has clarified that the airline is fully ready to start flights. All of the airline’s planes have been checked and its T5 terminal is safe to operate. As soon as Kuwait’s airspace opens, the service will be restored immediately. Meanwhile, flights on routes like Mumbai, Delhi and Colombo are still grounded.
What are the new options and rules for passengers?
Due to closure of airspace, the airline has made some alternative arrangements to provide relief to the passengers. From 8 March 2026, the airline is operating a limited service from Qaisumah Airport (AQI), Saudi Arabia. This airport is about two and a half hours away by road from Kuwait.
Saudi option: It is mandatory for passengers to have a valid Saudi visa to board the repatriation flight from Qaisumah Airport in Saudi Arabia.
Refunds and Rebooking: The current situation has been considered Force Majeure, so passengers whose flights have been canceled are getting a full refund or the option to rebook their tickets.
Stranded passengers: 190 transit passengers stranded in Kuwait have been accommodated in hotels by the airline. So far 460 passengers have been sent to their countries.
Plan of connecting flights: In a meeting with Daminda Rambukwella, CAASL Director General of Sri Lanka, it was decided that Colombo will be used as an important transit point for passengers going to India.
