Arab News
Arab news,
Mon, Mar 30, 2026 | Shawwal 11, 1447
Jazeera Airways expands Saudi-based operations, resumes Jeddah flights
Saudi Arabia:
Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways has resumed flights to
Jeddah while expanding its network with new routes to Pakistan, as it ramps up
operations through its dual Saudi bases in Dammam and Qaisumah.
The resumption of Jeddah flights strengthens links
between Kuwait and one of Saudi Arabia’s key commercial and religious gateways,
supporting passenger flows, including Umrah travel, and broader regional
mobility.
The move comes amid ongoing flight disruptions
linked to the regional conflict following the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran, which
has affected air traffic across the Gulf.
Barathan Pasupathi, CEO of Jazeera Airways,
said: “Restarting flights to Jeddah marks another important step in sustaining
connectivity between Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, especially now when
it’s really crucial.”
He noted that Jeddah is a vital destination for
passenger travel and cargo movement, particularly for those undertaking
religious journeys or supporting cross-border trade.
Under its travel model combining air and overland
transport via Saudi territory, Jazeera Airways now offers connectivity for
passengers traveling to and from Kuwait, while supporting cargo flows and supply
chain continuity.
With the addition of Jeddah, the airline’s
network operated through the Kingdom has expanded to over 20 destinations, with
more than 1,000 flights, 200,000 seats, and significant cargo capacity through
the end of April.
The Kuwaiti airline has also launched flights to
Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and a major economic hub, marking its third
destination in the country after Lahore and Islamabad.
Jazeera has also launched services to
Karachi, restoring its full Pakistan network alongside existing routes to Lahore
and Islamabad. The carrier plans to operate six weekly flights to Pakistan,
reinforcing links between Kuwait and key South Asian markets.
Pasupathi said: “Adding Karachi completes
the restoration of our Pakistan network at a time when connectivity carries even
greater importance.”
He added: “With Lahore, Islamabad, and now
Karachi, we are once again linking Kuwait to all the destinations we served in
Pakistan prior to the disruption.”
The top official noted that the airline’s focus in
the current environment is to keep Kuwait connected, support the movement of
people and essential goods, and ensure that communities remain linked despite
ongoing challenges.