Airline profile · Middle East

Kuwait Airways

KuwaitFull-service carrierSince 1954

KUIATA code
KACICAO code

Kuwait Airways is the state-owned flag carrier of Kuwait, a full-service airline established in 1954 and based at Terminal 4 of Kuwait International Airport. In 2024 it served 58 airports in 33 countries, according to schedule data published by AACO. Kuwait Airways is not a member of a global alliance and runs the Oasis Club loyalty programme.

Founded
1954
Headquarters
Kuwait City, Kuwait
Country
Kuwait
Main hubs
Kuwait International Airport (KWI), Terminal 4
Airline type
Full-service carrier
Alliance
None
Loyalty
Oasis Club
Ownership
Owned by the State of Kuwait; the government became sole owner in the early 1960s and AACO lists it as public-sector owned.
Callsign
KUWAITI
Website
kuwaitairways.com

How travel agents book Kuwait Airways

NDC

No public NDC programme details verified at time of writing.

On ReservationHub

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History of Kuwait Airways

Kuwait Airways started life in March 1954 as Kuwait National Airways Limited, set up by Kuwaiti businessmen, flying DC-3s to Basra, Beirut, Jerusalem, Damascus and Abadan. The government bought a 50% stake in 1955, when the company took the name Kuwait Airways, and private shareholders sold their remaining shares to the state in 1962.

The airline entered the jet age in 1962 with a leased Comet 4C, absorbed rival Trans-Arabian Airlines in 1964 and introduced Boeing 707s in 1968 and Boeing 747s in 1978. Airbus A310 and A300-600 aircraft followed in the mid-1980s.

During the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990, the company lost its premises and 15 aircraft. It was relaunched after liberation and rebuilt its fleet and network through the 1990s.

On 4 July 2018 Kuwait Airways' dedicated Terminal 4 at Kuwait International Airport was inaugurated, with operations starting on 15 August 2018. The airline launched a transformation programme in 2022 and continues to take new Airbus A330-900s, its sixth arriving in September 2026.

Milestones

  1. 1954Kuwait National Airways Limited is established in March.
  2. 1955Government acquires a 50% stake; company renamed Kuwait Airways.
  3. 1962Becomes wholly state-owned; enters the jet age with a leased Comet 4C.
  4. 1990Loses its premises and 15 aircraft during the Iraqi invasion on 2 August.
  5. 2018Dedicated Terminal 4 opens at Kuwait International Airport.
  6. 2026Receives its sixth Airbus A330-900 and launches Kuwait–Phuket flights.

Fleet

Boeing 777-300ER Airbus A330-800neo Airbus A330-900 Airbus A320neo Airbus A321

Aircraft types in service as of 2026

Kuwait Airways' corporate profile lists its current fleet as the Boeing 777-300ER, Airbus A330-800neo, A330-900, A320neo and A321. The airline received its sixth A330-900 on 12 September 2026 and expects a seventh soon, as part of a plan to modernise its fleet. AACO fleet data for January 2026 also shows a few older A340s still registered.

Network and hubs

Kuwait Airways operates from Terminal 4 at Kuwait International Airport (KWI), which it uses as its dedicated terminal. Schedule data for 2024 published by AACO shows about 86 average daily departures to 58 airports in 33 countries.

The network covers the Middle East and Africa, Europe, North America, the Indian subcontinent and the Far East. Recent additions include Kuwait–Damascus from July 2026 and twice-weekly Kuwait–Phuket from October 2026. For market context see the Kuwait travel software page.

Kuwait Airways: frequently asked questions

What are Kuwait Airways' IATA and ICAO codes?

Kuwait Airways uses the IATA airline code KU and the ICAO designator KAC, with the radio callsign KUWAITI. The code KAC also matches the corporate name, Kuwait Airways Corporation. Tickets and booking screens show its flights under the KU code.

Which terminal does Kuwait Airways use?

Kuwait Airways operates from Terminal 4 at Kuwait International Airport (KWI), its dedicated terminal. Terminal 4 was inaugurated on 4 July 2018 and the airline moved its operations there on 15 August 2018. Passengers and agents should check the terminal when connecting with other airlines at KWI.

Is Kuwait Airways in an airline alliance?

No. Kuwait Airways is not a member of Star Alliance, oneworld or SkyTeam. It connects passengers beyond its own network through codeshare and interline agreements with other airlines, and runs its own frequent flyer programme, Oasis Club.

Does Kuwait Airways use NDC?

No public NDC programme details were verified at the time of writing. Agencies should check with their GDS provider or the airline's local sales office for the channels currently available for Kuwait Airways content in their market.

What is Kuwait Airways' loyalty programme?

Kuwait Airways' frequent flyer programme is Oasis Club. It has four tiers, Oasis Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum, and members can earn and redeem miles, buy miles and pool miles with family members, according to the airline's website.

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Sources

  1. Kuwait Airways — Corporate profile
  2. Kuwait Airways — Official website (Oasis Club)
  3. AACO — Kuwait Airways receives sixth A330-900 (September 2026)
  4. AACO — Kuwait Airways launches direct flights to Phuket (October 2026)
  5. AACO — Kuwait Airways commences Kuwait–Damascus service (July 2026)
  6. AACO — Member airlines: Kuwait Airways
  7. IATA — Airline and location code search
  8. FAA — JO 7340.2N Contractions (ICAO three-letter designators and telephony)

Profile updated by the ReservationHub team. Airline details change: confirm schedules, fares and policies with the airline before booking. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.