Dawood Al-Jarrah, Director of the Air Navigation Department, affirmed that all necessary precautionary measures were implemented in response to the recent weather instability affecting the country. These measures were taken in line with approved international regulations and recommendations to safeguard air traffic and ensure the safety of passengers.Stay updated on Kuwait’s latest news and job openings by following our WhatsApp channel!https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCkXo25q08jnKrRwo27
Speaking to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Al-Jarrah emphasized that the department responded promptly and effectively, adhering to the highest global safety and security standards, following the severe weather conditions that developed on Sunday evening.
He explained that the atmospheric disturbance was marked by the formation of cumulonimbus clouds, accompanied by strong wind activity, with sustained wind speeds exceeding 35 knots (approximately 70 km/h) and gusts reaching over 40 knots (around 85 km/h). These conditions caused horizontal visibility to drop below 300 meters, significantly affecting landing operations.
Due to these adverse conditions, at 10:47 PM local time, the department redirected two flights—one from Assiut Airport and another from Cairo Airport—to Dammam Airport, as they were unable to land at Kuwait International Airport. Additionally, an IndiGo flight from Delhi was also diverted to Dammam after entering a holding pattern at 11:05 PM. However, another IndiGo flight from Ahmedabad successfully landed at Kuwait International Airport.
Despite the challenging weather, Kuwait Airways Flight from Dubai safely landed at Kuwait International Airport at 11:06 PM.
Al-Jarrah reiterated the department’s ongoing commitment to prioritizing passenger and aircraft safety through proactive planning and adherence to international aviation standards.