Kuwait’s aviation authorities have intensified their crackdown on travel sector violations amid a surge in complaints related to ticket fraud, unlicensed brokers and breaches of licensing rules. The Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) has introduced stricter penalties to safeguard travelers and restore confidence in the country’s air transport market.

The PACA’s complaint and arbitration committee recently issued a series of disciplinary actions against non-compliant travel offices and unauthorized brokers, who officials say are responsible for many financial losses and flight disruptions.

On October 22, 2025, the committee recorded 66 violations involving travel agents that breached social media license rules and other regulatory guidelines. Two individuals were also referred for legal action over unlicensed business activities.

Further penalties followed on November 13, when eight travel agents and one aviation company were fined for additional violations.

Abdullah Al-Rajhi, Director of PACA’s Air Transport Department and head of the committee, said the authority maintains an updated database of 890 entities—comprising 728 travel offices, 89 shipping offices and 73 airlines—all subject to regulatory monitoring.

Speaking to KUNA, Al-Rajhi emphasized that PACA plays a comprehensive oversight role to ensure licensed offices comply with regulations and to address violations swiftly. He stressed that the agency's priority is to protect travelers’ rights and prevent malpractice across the air transport sector.

Between January 1 and September 2025, the authority’s grievance department received 3,012 complaints, reflecting both rising traveler awareness and the prevalence of cyber-related scams. Al-Rajhi noted increasing cases involving fake websites, fraudulent payment links and misleading online advertisements, and said PACA is working closely with the Communication and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) to tackle these offences.

Common violations include fake air ticket sales, unauthorized brokers, unlawful add-on fees and deceptive promotions.
Al-Rajhi urged travelers to book only through licensed offices, verify booking details carefully and avoid transactions through individuals or suspicious payment links.

Looking ahead, PACA plans to enhance monitoring systems, strengthen cooperation with security and commercial authorities and expand public awareness campaigns to combat fraud and protect consumers.

Mohammad Al-Mutairi, Chairman of the Kuwait Travel and Tourism Agencies Association, criticized unlicensed brokers for damaging the reputation of Kuwait’s travel sector and eroding public trust. He stressed that licensed agencies operate responsibly under official regulations and remain committed to customer protection.

Al-Mutairi noted that key complaints include fake tickets, cancellations without notice and misleading travel offers promoted through fake social media accounts. However, he said recent data shows a substantial decline in fraud-related complaints compared with last year, crediting stronger enforcement and joint efforts between the association and government bodies.

Lufthansa has increased fuel loading on flights bound for Frankfurt Airport as a precautionary measure amid tighter jet fuel supplies caused by reduced pipeline capacity.

The airline said on Thursday that the move was intended to manage potential supply constraints at Germany’s largest aviation hub. Airport operator Fraport confirmed that routine maintenance was under way on a pipeline supplying jet fuel to the airport.

Fraport said the maintenance had been factored into its operational planning and was not expected to cause a fuel supply bottleneck. Alternative supply routes and sufficient storage capacity were helping to mitigate potential disruption.

“The airport's operational capability is therefore not affected,” Fraport said.

Lufthansa said it was not currently anticipating any flight cancellations as a result of the situation.

German newspaper Bild first reported the additional fuelling measures, citing internal instructions reportedly issued to Lufthansa pilots on selected routes. The practice, known as “tankering”, involves carrying more fuel than required for a flight so that an aircraft needs less or no refuelling at its destination.

According to Bild, the additional fuel carried by Airbus A320-family aircraft is limited to eight tonnes to ensure the planes can still be towed on the ground. The measures primarily affect short-haul services, although some long-haul flights are increasingly being included.

The precautionary steps are intended to give Lufthansa greater flexibility in managing its fuel requirements while pipeline maintenance continues at Frankfurt Airport.

Source: Reuters

Turkish Airlines has signed a strategic agreement with CFM International to strengthen engine maintenance capabilities and support the expansion of its Boeing 737 MAX fleet.

The long-term services agreement will cover the airline group's entire LEAP-1B engine fleet, including engines already ordered and delivered, spare engines, units installed on leased aircraft and potential future options. The combined total exceeds 600 engines operated by Turkish Airlines and its subsidiary, AJet.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed during a ceremony in Istanbul by Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, Prof. Murat Şeker; Turkish Technic CEO and Board Member, Mikail Akbulut; and Safran CEO Olivier Andriès. Safran is one of the two parent companies of CFM International.

The agreement also includes a material services arrangement to support the development of an engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility in Türkiye.

Şeker said the partnership would help Turkish Airlines accommodate fleet and network growth while improving operational efficiency. He added that the expanded services agreement would provide the technical expertise and long-term support required to develop LEAP engine maintenance capabilities.

Akbulut said the agreement would enable Turkish Technic to undertake comprehensive LEAP engine maintenance. He also reaffirmed the company's commitment to investing in engine services alongside its existing aircraft and component maintenance operations.

Andriès described the MoU as another milestone in a relationship with Turkish Airlines that has lasted nearly four decades. He said the agreement reflected both companies' ambitions to support the airline's growth and fleet expansion, while promoting an open MRO ecosystem offering flexible, competitive services to improve operational performance and control costs.

GE Aerospace Chairman and CEO H. Lawrence Culp Jr. also welcomed the agreement, highlighting Turkish Airlines' extensive international network and its confidence in CFM engines. He said the partnership would build on the companies' established relationship as the airline expands its Istanbul operations and engine maintenance capabilities.

Turkish Airlines currently operates 96 Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft powered by CFM56-7B engines and 79 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft equipped with LEAP-1B engines.

CFM said it had delivered more than 10,000 LEAP engines during the 10 years since the engine entered service, with the fleet accumulating over 100 million flight hours. The manufacturer continues to introduce upgrades, including a high-pressure turbine durability kit designed to extend time on wing and a reverse bleed system (RBS).

The agreement is expected to strengthen Turkish Airlines' long-standing relationship with CFM International and support the integration of newly ordered Boeing 737 MAX aircraft into its expanding fleet. The planned engine MRO facility will also enhance Turkish Technic's ability to provide comprehensive maintenance services.

Source: Turkish Airlines

Oman Air has entered into a codeshare agreement with Finland’s Finnair, expanding travel options for passengers flying between Oman, Europe and Australia.

The deal represents the airline’s first partnership of this nature since it officially joined the Oneworld global airline alliance in June 2025.

Under the agreement, passengers will be able to reach Helsinki via London Heathrow Airport, where Oman Air operates 11 weekly flights from its main hub in Muscat.

The partnership will also cover Finnair-operated services connecting Helsinki with Paris, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Milan and Rome, providing passengers with additional options for travelling between major European cities and the Finnish capital.

The agreement extends beyond Europe to Australia, with connections to Melbourne available via Bangkok. Oman Air operates two daily flights to the Thai capital, creating further opportunities for passengers travelling between the Middle East and Australia.

Rohan Patel, Head of Partnerships and Alliances at Oman Air, described the agreement as a significant strategic move towards maximising the benefits of the airline’s Oneworld membership.

He said the partnership had helped Oman Air broaden its customers’ travel options, making it easier for them to reach Helsinki and connect with destinations across Finnair’s wider network.

Source: Oman News Agency

Jazeera Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320neo in Kuwait, marking the start of a major fleet expansion programme as the airline celebrates 21 years of operations.

The aircraft is the first delivery under the carrier’s order for 26 Airbus aircraft. Chief Executive Officer Barathan Pasupathi accompanied the jet on its inaugural flight, J921, from Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France, to Kuwait.

A welcoming ceremony in Kuwait was attended by Jazeera Airways Vice Chairman Mohammad Almousa, representatives of the Kuwait Civil Aviation Authority and Ministry of Interior, as well as the airline’s management and employees.

Almousa said the decision to accept the aircraft on schedule was deliberate, despite Kuwait’s airport having been closed for two months during the year. He noted that the aircraft is owned by Jazeera Airways, financed by Kuwaiti banks and expected to consume around 20% less fuel per seat than the previous generation.

He credited the airline’s employees with maintaining operations through what he described as its most difficult year since its first flight in 2005, adding that the delivery reflected confidence in Kuwait and the airline’s workforce.

Pasupathi described the arrival as a significant milestone, highlighting the company’s commitment to long-term growth, operational resilience and the development of Kuwait’s aviation market.

He said the aircraft acquisition represented more than an addition to the fleet, reflecting the airline’s ambition to strengthen its competitive position through modern aircraft, an improved passenger experience and an expanding route network.

New Aircraft Targets Efficiency and Passenger Comfort

The A320neo incorporates Airbus technology designed to improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and lower noise levels compared with previous-generation aircraft.

Passenger features include lightweight, ergonomically designed RECARO seats and larger overhead baggage compartments, providing additional cabin storage and making boarding more convenient.

Jazeera Airways expects the aircraft to support operational efficiency while improving the onboard experience for passengers.

Fleet and Network Expansion Plans

The airline aims to increase its fleet to 50 aircraft by 2030 and expand its network to 100 destinations. Its plans include strengthening existing routes, adding capacity and developing further connections across its markets.

The latest delivery follows a period of significant regional aviation disruption earlier in the year, during which the airline worked to maintain and restore operations.

Jazeera Airways said its broader development strategy focuses on fleet growth, network expansion, digital innovation and continued investment in its workforce and infrastructure.

Pasupathi said each new aircraft would create additional opportunities to connect people, communities and markets. He added that further deliveries would support product improvements and a wider network.

The airline currently operates across more than 50 destinations in the Middle East, Asia, Europe and Africa. It said the new aircraft reinforces its focus on a modern and efficient fleet, accessible air travel and sustainable growth, while contributing to the development of Kuwait’s aviation sector.

Source: TradeArabia

Qatar Airways has reduced its daily flight frequency to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as disruptions continue to affect its services to the Kingdom.

The airline said flights to and from Jeddah International Airport (JED) have been cut from seven daily services to four.

Meanwhile, flights connecting Doha with Riyadh (RUH) and Dammam (DMM) remain suspended through October 24, 2026, inclusive.

Qatar Airways has advised passengers to contact the airline within 48 hours of their scheduled departure to confirm the latest flight arrangements, warning that schedules remain subject to change.

Travellers can also visit the airline’s official website or use its mobile app to manage bookings and access updated flight information.

Source: The Peninsula