Kuwait Airways and Emirates Expand Partnership

Kuwait Airways and Emirates signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at expanding the current interline partnership between the two carriers, paving the way for its conversion into a mutual code-share agreement, thereby enhancing travel options and connectivity for customers of both airlines. The agreement was signed on the sidelines of Kuwait Airways’ participation, in collaboration with Visit Kuwait, through a pavilion at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, which serves as an important platform for airlines and the travel and tourism sector to meet and discuss future cooperation opportunities and partnerships.

In this regard, Acting CEO of Kuwait Airways, Captain Abdulwahab Ibrahim Al-Shatti, stated that the agreement aligns with the company’s commitment to expanding its strategic partnerships with global airlines, thereby providing its customers with broader and more flexible travel options. Al-Shatti added, “Under the new arrangements of the agreement, Kuwait Airways customers will gain access to a wider range of destinations within Emirates’ network via its hub in Dubai, with the ability to book multi-segment journeys on a single ticket and check baggage through to the final destination, offering a smoother and more seamless travel experience.”

He further explained that these arrangements will enable Emirates customers to benefit from Kuwait Airways’ network of destinations and services, contributing to expanded travel options and enhanced connectivity between Kuwait and various destinations served by both carriers. Al-Shatti praised the strategic relationship between Kuwait Airways and Emirates, noting that the national carrier is keen to strengthen and develop this cooperation to serve the interests of both parties, reflecting the deep fraternal ties between the State of Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. He emphasized that expanding the partnership represents a significant step toward providing broader travel options and strengthening air connectivity between the two carriers’ networks.

He pointed out that participation in such exhibitions provides important opportunities to hold meetings and exchange expertise with various entities and companies operating in the aviation, travel, and tourism sectors, as well as to explore cooperation opportunities and conclude agreements that enhance partnerships and knowledge sharing among different parties. He noted that this agreement is an extension of several other agreements and partnerships that Kuwait Airways will sign in the coming period with various entities and companies, aiming to expand its strategic partnership network and enhance travel and connectivity options for its customers, thereby supporting the company’s future plans.

For his part, Adnan Kazim, Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates, said, “This step reflects the evolution of our partnership with Kuwait Airways and serves as a model of cooperation that creates real value for customers, opening up a wider range of travel and connectivity options across the region and beyond.” He added, “By transitioning to a mutual code-share agreement, we will be able to better leverage the integration of our two carriers’ networks, open new routes for travelers, and deliver a more connected and seamless travel experience between Dubai and Kuwait. We look forward to building on this partnership and expanding our areas of cooperation to support mutual growth, enhance travel and air connectivity, and connect customers of both carriers to a broader range of international markets and destinations.”

Earlier last year, Kuwait Airways had already strengthened its strategic partnership with Emirates by expanding commercial cooperation, thereby offering travelers more diverse and flexible travel options across a wide network of regional and global destinations. This move enabled Kuwait Airways customers to access 19 international destinations through Emirates’ global network, including key markets such as Australia, China, Japan, the United States, and South Africa. Meanwhile, Emirates customers gained access to eight destinations within Kuwait Airways’ network, contributing to expanded travel options and enhanced connectivity between the two countries and international markets.