India, Kuwait to discuss increase in flights as ties gain new momentum

India and Kuwait will hold talks to find a “mutually acceptable solution” on increasing flights between the two countries. The issue of enhanced air connectivity was discussed in a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah on Sunday 22 Dec. While India and Kuwait signed agreements in fields of culture and defence, recent negotiations on enhancing air services have proved to be tricky. The talks between two leaders were positive and both sides agreed to hold further discussions, an official said.m

The joint statement issued after the leaders’ meeting noted the recent meetings between the civil aviation authorities of the two countries. “The two sides discussed the increase of bilateral flight seat capacities and associated issues. They agreed to continue discussions in order to reach a mutually acceptable solution at an early date,” Prime Minister’s Office said a in a press release.                   

Kuwait has been pressing for a revision in bilateral air service agreement which will enable carriers from both the countries to increase flights.

India and Kuwait last revised the agreement in 2007. It allows airlines from both sides to deploy 12,000 seats per week. However, with the exhaustion of its entitlement, Kuwait has been arguing for an increase. Its contention is that travel demand between the two countries has risen and as number of direct flights has remained static, carriers from India and Kuwait are losing traffic to third country airlines.

Indian and Kuwaiti carriers operate nearly 40 flights daily (arrivals plus departures) between the two countries and the number has remained flat compared to last year. Air India Express, Akasa Air, IndiGo, Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways operate flights between the two countries.

India has revised seat entitlements with Thailand, Uzbekistan, United Kingdom and Vietnam in 2024 but has been turning down requests from West Asian countries for a similar hike.

According to media reports, earlier this year, Ministry of Civil Aviation has proposed grant of nine seats for Indian carriers in lieu of every additional seat that would be granted to Kuwait under a seat revision pact. Such a proposal is considered unprecedented as typically traffic rights are exchanged reciprocally on 1:1 basis. It is learnt that Kuwait has rejected the proposal.

“India will need to reconsider the freeze on bilateral traffic rights. I expect gradual opening up in the near term,” said Kapil Kaul, South Asia CEO of aviation consultancy, CAPA.