Kuwait's Directorate General of Civil Aviation is preparing to open and operate the third aircraft runway and the new air traffic control tower at Kuwait International Airport on October 30 this month, in a strategic step aimed at enhancing the airport's operational capacity, raising the level of aviation safety and developing the services provided to travelers.
Eng. Saad Al-Otaibi, the directorate's Deputy Director General for Planning and Projects, said the two projects form an essential part of a comprehensive plan to develop the airport's infrastructure, aimed at consolidating Kuwait's position as a regional hub for aviation and logistics, according to the Kuwait News Agency.
Al-Otaibi added that the third runway, which extends 4.58 km, is among the longest runways in the world, noting that its operation will help increase take-off and landing efficiency and significantly improve aviation safety levels.
He said the new control tower has been equipped with the latest air navigation systems and advanced technologies used at major international airports, enabling it to manage air traffic of more than 600,000 take-offs and landings a year, which will positively affect capacity and operating revenues.
He added that Kuwait's civil aviation strategy is based on 4 main pillars, including: developing infrastructure to serve travelers, raising operational efficiency and increasing revenues by involving the private sector in operating facilities, in addition to training and qualifying national cadres to manage and operate the airport according to the highest international standards.
Al-Otaibi noted that involving the private sector in operating commercial facilities such as hotels, duty-free shops and lounges has proven successful in raising service quality and enhancing operational efficiency, citing the operation of passenger terminal "T4" in 2018 as a successful model.
Regarding the new passenger terminal project "T2", Al-Otaibi said it is one of the largest projects in the airport's history, and expected it to be a qualitative addition that strengthens Kuwait's position in the global air transport sector.
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