Kuwait has introduced new requirements for airlines and travel agencies to clearly disclose Kuwait International Airport fees when passengers purchase air tickets.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued Circular 58 (2026) on Monday to standardise how fees are presented during the booking process and give passengers a clearer breakdown of the charges they pay.

DGCA spokesperson Abdullah Al-Rajhi told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Thursday that the measure is designed to improve transparency by ensuring passengers can identify the fees included in their bookings.

He said the circular also establishes guidelines governing the relationship between passengers, airlines and travel agencies. It provides reference points for passengers who need to cancel their tickets.

Al-Rajhi clarified that the circular does not introduce all the listed fee codes for the first time, as some were already in use before the new rules were issued.

He emphasised that airlines and travel agencies must comply with the circular and use the specified fee codes to prevent confusion and ensure passengers receive consistent, clear information about ticket charges.

The move forms part of the DGCA’s efforts to standardise fee disclosures and improve transparency across Kuwait’s air travel booking process.

Source: KUNA

Kuwait’s Public Authority for Civil Aviation has said a new circular requiring airport fees to be itemised on airline tickets is intended to improve transparency and help passengers understand the charges included in their travel costs.

Spokesperson Abdullah Al-Rajhi said Circular No. 58 of 2026, issued on October 19, requires airlines and travel agencies to clearly display applicable fee codes and amounts separately on tickets.

He noted that the circular does not introduce all the fees for the first time. Some charges were already in place, while others were introduced more recently.

The new requirements will allow passengers to review charges when booking tickets and when seeking cancellations or refunds, subject to the relevant terms and regulations.

Separately, Kuwait’s Ministry of Health has reviewed medical preparedness at Kuwait International Airport as part of efforts to assess emergency response capabilities and the readiness of airport health facilities.

Health Ministry Undersecretary Sheikh Dr Salman Khalifa Al-Sabah conducted an inspection tour on Thursday, visiting the airport health centre and terminals T1, T4 and T5, as well as the new Terminal 2 (T2).

The inspection covered medical facilities serving arriving and departing passengers, including airport clinics and quarantine facilities.

During the tour, Al-Sabah examined medical equipment, staffing arrangements, round-the-clock healthcare services, thermal screening and procedures for identifying infectious diseases and responding to emergencies.

He also met Public Works Ministry Undersecretary Kifaya Al-Najdi at T2 to discuss medical and technical preparations, operational requirements, health surveillance and preventive measures.

The discussions focused on ensuring that airport medical services and supporting facilities are prepared to meet operational needs and respond effectively to potential public health emergencies.

Source: KUNA

Kuwait has introduced new requirements for airlines and travel agencies to clearly disclose Kuwait International Airport fees when passengers purchase air tickets.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued Circular 58 (2026) on Monday to standardise how fees are presented during the booking process and give passengers a clearer breakdown of the charges they pay.

DGCA spokesperson Abdullah Al-Rajhi told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Thursday that the measure is designed to improve transparency by ensuring passengers can identify the fees included in their bookings.

He said the circular also establishes guidelines governing the relationship between passengers, airlines and travel agencies. It provides reference points for passengers who need to cancel their tickets.

Al-Rajhi clarified that the circular does not introduce all the listed fee codes for the first time, as some were already in use before the new rules were issued.

He emphasised that airlines and travel agencies must comply with the circular and use the specified fee codes to prevent confusion and ensure passengers receive consistent, clear information about ticket charges.

The move forms part of the DGCA’s efforts to standardise fee disclosures and improve transparency across Kuwait’s air travel booking process.

Source: KUNA

Turkey is waiting for Qatar to provide a draft sales contract and a proposed training programme for the potential transfer of additional Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets, the Turkish Defence Ministry said on Thursday.

Turkey and the United Kingdom, both NATO members, signed an agreement last year for the purchase of 20 Typhoon aircraft. The deal aims to strengthen defence ties between the two countries and improve Turkey’s air defence capabilities.

Ankara has also expressed interest in acquiring 24 additional aircraft from Qatar and Oman, although progress on the proposed purchases has remained limited.

Under the agreement with Britain, Qatar and Oman are permitted to transfer some of their existing Typhoon aircraft to Turkey, subject to separate sales contracts.

Speaking at its weekly press briefing, the Turkish Defence Ministry said negotiations over the additional aircraft were continuing. Turkish and Qatari delegations held discussions in August and September on technical and logistical arrangements, including the number of aircraft and ammunition to be acquired, as well as training for pilots and maintenance personnel.

The ministry said Qatar was expected to prepare and send Turkey a draft training programme and a sales contract.

Separately, Turkey signed an agreement with Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia on Wednesday to expand defence cooperation and strengthen their military capabilities. The arrangement includes cooperation on the joint development and production of defence equipment.

The Turkish Defence Ministry also said the country’s defence budget had been increased for 2027 to support ongoing domestic defence industry programmes. These include air defence systems, military platforms, the development of Turkey’s indigenous KAAN fighter jet, drone technology and shipbuilding.

Source: Reuters News

An estimated 117,000 air passengers in Oman may be entitled to compensation for flight delays, cancellations and denied boarding, but many could be missing out on payments worth millions of euros, according to an analysis by AirHelp.

The online passenger rights service examined flights covered by Oman's Passenger Rights Protection Regulation between September 2025 and August 2026. It said eligible passengers could collectively claim substantial sums from airlines.

Introduced by the Civil Aviation Authority in 2024, the regulation establishes compensation and assistance requirements for affected travellers, with compensation levels comparable to those under Europe's EC 261 framework.

Despite these protections, AirHelp's research indicates that 79 percent of passengers in markets with established passenger rights rules do not understand their entitlements.

“Oman has given passengers real protection when flights go wrong, making it a global leader in air passenger rights,” said Eric Napoli, chief legal officer at AirHelp. He added that passengers could receive up to RO260 following qualifying disruptions and urged travellers to understand and exercise their rights.

The regulation covers all flights departing from Oman, as well as inbound flights operated by Omani airlines, including Oman Air and SalamAir.

On international routes, compensation may be available when passengers arrive at their final destination more than six hours late, when flights are cancelled less than 14 days before departure, or when travellers are involuntarily denied boarding, including because of overbooking.

Compensation amounts depend on flight distance. Passengers may qualify for RO108 on routes shorter than 1,500 kilometres, RO173 for journeys between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometres, and RO260 for flights exceeding 3,500 kilometres. Popular services from Muscat to London, Paris and Frankfurt fall within the highest compensation category.

However, airlines are exempt from paying compensation when disruptions result from force majeure. They may also avoid compensation obligations if passengers are rerouted and reach their destination less than two hours behind schedule.

The rules also require airlines to provide assistance to stranded passengers. Refreshments must be offered after two hours, meals after three hours, and hotel accommodation with transport after six hours. Airlines that fail to provide the required assistance must compensate affected passengers instead.

Additional safeguards apply to passengers with reduced mobility, who are entitled to free assistance and cannot be refused carriage without a valid safety-related reason.

Passengers generally have two years to submit compensation claims under the regulation.

Source: Muscat Daily

Dubai International Airport (DXB) celebrates its 66th anniversary on September 30, 2026, marking a transformation from a small airfield into one of the world’s leading hubs for international passenger traffic.

Since opening in 1960 with a 1,800-metre sand runway and a modest terminal, the airport has undergone decades of expansion to accommodate larger aircraft, rising passenger demand and an increasingly extensive global route network. By September 2026, cumulative passenger numbers had exceeded 1.5 billion, according to an announcement by Dubai Airports during a Dubai government media briefing.

The airport’s development has closely tracked Dubai’s economic transformation, with expanding air connectivity supporting the emirate’s growth in tourism, trade, logistics and international investment.

From a sand runway to modern aviation infrastructure

The foundations of modern Dubai International Airport were laid in 1959, when the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum ordered the construction of a new airport for the emirate.

When the facility officially opened on September 30, 1960, it featured a 1,800-metre compacted-sand runway, an aircraft apron, a small passenger terminal and a fire station. Initially designed for smaller aircraft, the airport gradually expanded as demand for air travel increased.

Aviation had already been part of Dubai’s transport landscape, with seaplanes accounting for much of the emirate’s earlier air traffic. The development of scheduled air services created a need for infrastructure capable of accommodating larger aircraft and more passengers.

A major breakthrough came in May 1965, when a nearly 2,800-metre asphalt runway entered service. The upgrade enabled larger aircraft and jetliners to operate at the airport. Comet aircraft operated by Middle East Airlines and Kuwait Airways were among those arriving during this period.

The new runway marked a turning point, positioning the airport to support Dubai’s expanding international connections and economic ambitions.

Emirates and flydubai accelerate connectivity

Dubai’s rapid economic expansion during the 1970s and 1980s drove further investment in airport infrastructure and flight capacity. The airport increasingly supported the emirate’s development as a centre for trade and re-export.

The launch of Emirates in 1985 opened another chapter in DXB’s growth. The airline built an extensive international network from Dubai, strengthening the airport’s role as a connecting hub between global markets.

flydubai, which began operations in 2009, further expanded links with regional and international destinations.

The opening of Terminal 3 in 2008, dedicated to Emirates, represented another major investment in passenger-handling capacity. More broadly, the airport’s business model evolved beyond serving arriving and departing flights to facilitating connections between countries, airlines and markets.

A decade at the top of international passenger traffic

Dubai International Airport reached a significant global milestone in 2014, when it became the world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic, handling 70.4 million passengers.

DXB retained its leading position over the following decade. In 2024, it marked 10 consecutive years at the top of the international passenger traffic rankings, recording 92.3 million passengers, up 6.1% from 2023.

Over that decade, the airport handled more than 700 million passengers across over 3.3 million flights.

Traffic continued to climb in 2025, when DXB welcomed a record 95.2 million passengers, an increase of 3.1% year on year. The airport described the figure as the highest annual international passenger traffic recorded by any airport worldwide. Aircraft movements reached approximately 454,800 during the year.

Cumulative passenger numbers surpass 1.5 billion

DXB’s long-term growth is also reflected in its cumulative passenger figures.

At its 60th anniversary in 2020, the airport had handled 1.115 billion passengers across more than 7.47 million flights since opening. Its network connected more than 240 destinations in 95 countries.

By September 2026, cumulative passenger numbers had surpassed 1.5 billion. That represents an increase of approximately 385 million passengers in six years, despite significant challenges facing the global aviation industry during the period.

The airport’s historical milestones also illustrate the pace of its expansion. It took 51 years to serve its first 500 million passengers, while the cumulative total reached one billion after a further seven years, according to the historical sequence cited in the source material.

2026 growth amid regional challenges

DXB continued to handle substantial passenger volumes in 2026, despite difficult operating conditions affecting regional air traffic during the first half of the year.

The airport welcomed 31.5 million passengers during the first six months. Traffic recovered gradually in the second quarter as airlines restored some capacity, with monthly passenger numbers rising from 3.5 million in April to 4.5 million in May and five million in June.

Dubai Airports Chief Executive Officer Paul Griffiths said in September that DXB was projected to handle around 70 million passengers in 2026. He also indicated that annual traffic could reach 100 million by the end of 2027 as airlines rebuild their operational capacity.

Aviation’s wider contribution to Dubai’s economy

DXB’s importance extends well beyond passenger movements. Aviation has become a major contributor to Dubai’s economic activity, supporting tourism, trade, logistics and employment.

A study by Oxford Economics, commissioned by the Emirates Group and Dubai Airports, found that aviation contributed 27% of Dubai’s gross domestic product in 2023. The sector generated AED 137 billion in total added value and supported 631,000 jobs.

The study projected that aviation-related activities would contribute AED 196 billion by 2030, equivalent to 32% of Dubai’s projected GDP at 2023 prices. Employment supported by the sector was forecast to reach 816,000, an increase of 185,000 jobs compared with 2023.

These figures underline the role of aviation as an integral part of Dubai’s wider economic system rather than simply a means of transporting passengers.

Air cargo strengthens Dubai’s global trade links

Freight operations form another important part of Dubai’s aviation network, supported by the emirate’s geographic position, ports, free zones and integrated transport infrastructure.

In 2024, DXB handled approximately 2.2 million tonnes of air cargo, up 20.5% from 1.8 million tonnes in 2023.

The increase reflects the airport’s role in moving high-value goods and time-sensitive shipments. Its links with sea and land transport also support Dubai’s wider logistics and re-export activities.

Smart technology reshapes the passenger journey

DXB is increasingly using digital systems to streamline airport procedures and improve the passenger experience, from arrival formalities to departure.

During the first half of 2026, more than 9.4 million passengers used smart travel services at Dubai airports, including smart gates and the Red Carpet service.

Approximately 9.02 million travellers completed procedures through smart gates, while more than 439,000 used the Red Carpet service.

Supported by artificial intelligence and biometric technology, the service has reduced average processing time for crossing procedures from 12.5 seconds to 3.4 seconds. The system can process up to 10 travellers simultaneously.

These developments reflect a broader shift towards biometric identification, reduced reliance on paper documents and fewer interruptions during airport processing.

Al Maktoum International Airport prepares for future demand

As DXB marks 66 years of operations, Dubai is also developing its next major aviation gateway at Dubai World Central, home to Al Maktoum International Airport.

In 2024, Dubai approved a second phase of the airport’s expansion, backed by an investment of $35 billion. The plan aims to provide capacity for 150 million passengers annually over the next decade, with the ultimate objective of accommodating more than 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo each year.

The final development plans include five runways, four concourse buildings and more than 400 aircraft gates. They also provide for an automated passenger transport system and integrated connections with the city’s road, metro and air transport networks.

In June 2026, the Dubai government confirmed that major project packages remained under implementation. These include the West Terminal, Concourse 4, the automated passenger transport system and the baggage-handling system, indicating progress beyond the initial planning stage.

Key milestones in DXB’s history

• 1959: Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum orders construction of a new airport for Dubai.

• 1960: DXB opens on September 30 with a 1,800-metre sand runway and a small terminal.

• 1965: A nearly 2,800-metre asphalt runway enters service.

• 1983: Dubai Duty Free opens.

• 1985: Emirates begins operations.

• 1988: Annual passenger traffic reaches 4.3 million.

• 1998: Passenger traffic exceeds 9.7 million, and Terminal 2 opens.

• 2000: Concourse C opens, raising annual capacity to 23 million passengers.

• 2008: Terminal 3 opens, increasing annual capacity to 60 million passengers.

• 2009: Passenger traffic exceeds 40.9 million, and flydubai begins operations.

• 2013: Concourse A, dedicated to A380 aircraft, opens.

• 2014: DXB handles 70.4 million passengers and becomes the world’s busiest airport for international passenger traffic.

• 2018: The airport welcomes its one-billionth international passenger since opening.

• 2019: Passenger traffic reaches 86.4 million.

• 2025: DXB records 95.2 million passengers, its busiest year on record.

• 2026: Cumulative passenger numbers surpass 1.5 billion.

From a sand runway in 1960 to a record 95.2 million passengers in 2025, Dubai International Airport’s history mirrors the emirate’s transformation into a major global centre for business and travel.

After 66 years, DXB remains central to Dubai’s international connectivity, while investment in technology, capacity and integrated transport systems is shaping the next stage of development. As Al Maktoum International Airport advances, Dubai is preparing for further growth in passenger traffic, cargo operations and global aviation links.

Source: Emirates 247