- Kuwait suspends flights due to Iranian drone attack.
- Airport damaged, multiple individuals sustained injuries.
- Travelers advised on five options amidst flight disruptions.
In a major escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, Kuwait said Wednesday it had suspended commercial flights after an Iranian drone attack hit the country’s airport, wounding a number of people, the Associated Press reported. If your flight is scheduled for today, it is better to either cancel your travel or avoid the route if travelling is necessary.
According to the Kuwaiti Defence Ministry spokesperson, Brig Gen Saud Abdulaziz Al-Otaibi, a number of hostile drones had targeted the Kuwait International Airport's passenger building, severely damaging the building and injuring a number of individuals.
The drone attack came after Iran and the United States traded missile strikes late Tuesday, with the US military saying it had launched strikes on an Iranian military facility in retaliation for Iranian missiles fired at Kuwait and Bahrain.
Stuck at Kuwait Airport?
If an airport like Kuwait International is facing an Iranian missile attack or sudden airspace closure, travellers usually have five practical options, depending on where they are in the journey.
Here are the 5 options that you have
1. If you are inside Kuwait Airport
-Follow airport evacuation or shelter instructions immediately.
- Airlines typically rebook passengers for free, waive change fees, or place them on later flights.
-Expect long delays, terminal restrictions, or relocation to safer zones/hotels if operations stop.
2. If your flight is scheduled to Kuwait
You may be:
-Diverted to nearby Gulf hubs such as airports in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, or the United Arab Emirates
-Rebooked automatically by your airline.
-Asked to wait until airspace restrictions are lifted. Gulf carriers often reroute through safer corridors during conflicts.
3. If you are transiting via Kuwait
-Request rerouting through hubs like Dubai International Airport, Hamad International Airport, or King Fahd International Airport if operating.
-Contact airline help desks or use the airline app for alternate itineraries.
4. If you urgently need to leave Kuwait
-Travellers sometimes cross by road to Saudi Arabia and fly from nearby airports if borders remain open.
- Wait for special rescue or repatriation flights arranged by embassies or airlines during prolonged disruptions. Past regional crises have seen such contingency measures.
5. For Indian travellers
Keep an eye on advisories from the Embassy of India, Kuwait and your airline. Indian carriers may suspend or reroute services if the security situation worsens.
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