First terminal owned by a non-government airline

KUWAIT: Jazeera Airways officials pose for a group photo at the new terminal. —Photos by Joseph Shagra

KUWAIT: In a press tour held at its soon-to-open terminal, Jazeera Airways, Kuwait's leading low cost airline, operating regionally and internationally, revealed a state-of-the-art terminal and parking structure ready to welcome passengers in a new travel experience that provides them with improved, fast and customer-centric services.

Leading the tour, Jazeera Airways Chairman, Marwan Boodai, said: "The new Jazeera Airways terminal marks a significant milestone in the development of the aviation industry in Kuwait and the Middle East. It is the first terminal owned by a non-government airline, and a testament to the Government of Kuwait's belief in empowering the private sector to have an active role in the Kuwait Vision 2035. We thank the government of Kuwait and the Directorate General for Civil Aviation for their continued support to our endeavors to advancing the local aviation sector."

Constructed in a record period of 11 months, the Jazeera Airways terminal is located at the Kuwait International Airport and is scheduled to receive its first passengers by end of May 2018. The terminal covers a total area of 4,750 square meters, accommodating close to 2.5 million passengers annually and handling an average of 1,200 bags per hour. The new terminal was designed with passengers in mind, aiming to provide them with a seamless experience from parking, checking-in to boarding.

Three check-in alternatives are made available to serve every segment of passengers. Eleven check-in counters are located at the ground floor level, of which two are dedicated to business travelers and baggage drop-offs for passengers who have checked-in online. A check-in counter enables passengers to check-in large baggage items. Additional check-in alternatives will be made available in the months following the opening. A baggage drop-off counter will be added at the upper floor level, while six self-check-in kiosks will enable passengers to check-in and emigrate within moments.

Boodai added: "In the near future, Jazeera Airways will introduce fully-integrated self-service check-in kiosks where passengers can self-check-in their baggage, scan their passport, print their boarding pass and baggage tags, then drop-off their baggage at a dedicated counter. Our objective is to improve the travel process and automate it to reduce waiting time and serve our fast-paced business and young travellers as well as those travelling with their family or in large groups."

The Jazeera Airways terminal is accessible through a separate entrance located next to the Kuwait International Airport VIP entrance. The parking structure accommodates 350 cars, and gives passengers access to the terminal through a connecting tunnel. The terminal has its own immigration counters at departure and arrival, and connects directly to the Jazeera Airways dedicated gates B1, B2 and B3 at the Kuwait International Airport. Two baggage belts will serve arriving passengers. Retailers and a duty free will also be revealed soon after the terminal is operational. Key to the terminal is its dedicated VIP service which will enable passengers to take advantage of premium services, in particular business travelers.

Complementing the customer-centric terminal, Jazeera Airways' Park and Fly service will connect passengers to the new terminal. Located at the Jazeera Airways headquarters opposite the Amiri Terminal, Park and Fly is ideal for passengers who opt to leaving their car at the Airport for a nominal fee of KD2.500 per day. Passengers can park their car, check-in, drop-off their baggage and enjoy a shuttle transport to the new terminal.

Boodai concluded: "Today, our passengers can enjoy competitive rates, a convenient schedule and a high on-time performance to 26 destinations in the Middle East, West Asia and East Europe, book and check-in online, as well as enjoy self-services and a state-of-the-art terminal that enhances their travel experience."