Kuwait Takes Off with Bold New Aviation Law
In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), Sheikh Humoud welcomed the issuance of Decree Law No. 85 of 2025, which officially transforms the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) into the Public Authority for Civil Aviation. The move, he said, is in full compliance with the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other regional aviation bodies.
'This law is a turning point for Kuwait's civil aviation sector,' Sheikh Humoud stated. 'It will enhance the sector's independence, modernize its structure, and ensure the adoption of global best practices in administration and oversight.'
The new legislation comes 65 years after the enactment of Laws No. 20 and No. 27 of 1960, which initially regulated civil aviation operations and aircraft accident procedures in Kuwait. The updated legal framework, published in the official gazette Kuwait Today, reflects the country's long-standing efforts to modernize its air transport infrastructure in line with global developments.
Sheikh Humoud emphasized that the new law reinforces PACA's ability to operate with transparency and autonomy while maintaining oversight responsibilities critical to national interests. He noted that the Authority remains committed to working following the highest international standards to fulfill the strategic vision of Kuwait's leadership.
'This achievement is not only legislative — it is part of a broader national strategy to support sustainable development,' he said. 'It strengthens Kuwait's civil aviation capabilities and contributes to the country's international obligations under ICAO.'
The PACA chief also pointed out that the legislation enables the Authority to efficiently regulate and supervise aviation operations at Kuwait International Airport and beyond. It supports ongoing efforts to serve passengers, airlines, and airport stakeholders, while aligning with the Council of Ministers' broader strategy to diversify the national economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.
He further stressed the importance of continued development across all civil aviation facilities to enhance the passenger experience and position Kuwait International Airport among the world's leading aviation hubs.
On this occasion, Sheikh Humoud expressed his heartfelt appreciation to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Prime Minister, and the Council of Ministers for their support in realizing this important achievement.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
6 hours ago
- Arab Times
Kuwait expands family visit visa to 3 months with extension path to 1 year
University degree rule scrapped as visa policy eases Visit visa pricing heads to Cabinet for final say Visa access no longer tied to national carrier The State is not a marketer for airlines Gov't eyes return of airlines that withdrew from market Tourism and trade drive Kuwait Visa platform overhaul KUWAIT CITY, Aug 4: First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah confirmed in a telephone call with Editor-in-Chief of the Arab Times and Al-Seyassah newspapers Ahmed Al-Jarallah that the directives he gave to those in charge of the 'Kuwait Visa' platform to address negative aspects will be implemented as of Tuesday. This is part of a vital move towards opening up to the world and making Kuwait a tourist and commercial destination, as well as a swift response to the comments of citizens and expatriates regarding the 'Kuwait Visa' platform, part of which was published by the newspaper on Monday. During the telephone call, the First Deputy Prime Minister revealed a package of measures – some of which took effect on Monday, while others are still being finalized. These measures include the abolition of the local carrier requirement and the introduction of a three-month visit visa, instead of a single, multiple-entry visa. The visa can be extended for six months or one year. Visitors simply pay the required fees and choose their preferred option, especially since violations in this regard are few. Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef asserted, 'We are building a huge airport and we want to bring back all airlines that have left the local market. Our objective is to market Kuwait as a whole.' He explained the cancellation of the local carrier requirement by indicating that the State is not a marketer for airlines; they must market themselves. Regarding kinship, the First Deputy Prime Minister disclosed, 'We have made room for it to be up to the fourth degree, which did not exist previously. Starting Tuesday, the university degree requirement is cancelled.' He added that 'those with security restrictions will be immediately notified and they must defend themselves. It is not within the purview of the platform or its administrators to address this matter. This is practiced in all other countries around the world, especially the Gulf countries.' He confirmed that he reviewed all the comments, along with the ministry's staff and the platform administrators on Monday. He stated 'we accept the comments with open hearts, because our goal is to make Kuwait a leader. Therefore, everything raised will be developed from Tuesday. We will push toward facilitating procedures and adopting whatever serves Kuwait.' On the fees, the Minister of Interior revealed 'we will present the fees for visits to the Council of Ministers on Tuesday for approval, as well as the measures that will facilitate Kuwait's openness to the world as soon as possible, to avoid any inconvenience or obstacles.' Asked about those who do not add value to the country's commercial activity or groups that accumulate without any purpose, he pointed out that 'The logical conditions set in this regard prohibit them from visiting Kuwait unless they can support themselves or their sponsor has such ability. Otherwise, they should remain in their countries.' Emphasizing that his intention for the 'Kuwait Visa' platform is to be an important reference, superior to its counterparts in the region, the Minister of Interior concluded his phone call with the editor-in-chief by saying, 'I reiterate that the State is open to any comments. The objective is to develop the platform and achieve everything that makes our country a tourist and commercial destination. As we said earlier, perfection belongs to Allah alone; thus, the platform will be developed whenever necessary.' Given the above and under the directives of the Kuwaiti immigration and civil aviation authorities, Middle East Airlines is now permitted to carry all passengers holding a family visit visa (that only Kuwaiti airlines were previously permitted to carry).
Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait amends housing developers law to attract private investment
Changes give developers flexibility to offer various types of housing, including apartments KUWAIT: Kuwait has issued a major legal amendment that reshapes how the country plans, builds, and manages residential cities. The changes, published this week in the official gazette Kuwait Al-Youm, are part of a broader effort to tackle the country's longstanding housing shortage while opening the door wider to private investment. The new decree law, No. 89 of 2025, amends key provisions of the 2023 legislation that first established a framework for creating companies to design and develop integrated housing cities. According to the explanatory note attached to the new law, the original legislation 'required greater flexibility to suit different projects and to encourage private sector participation.' The amendment expands housing options for citizens and adds a key financial safeguard: once the government commits to funding a project, it cannot later increase or reduce that amount. More housing options The new law gives the government more flexibility in how it works with the private sector. Under the 2023 law, the state had to form joint-stock companies to carry out housing projects. The amendment removes that restriction. Now, the housing authority can set up companies of any legal form or size, depending on the project's nature and feasibility. This gives the government more tools to tailor each project to its economic and technical conditions. The amended law also expands the types of housing that can be offered to eligible citizens. Originally, developers could offer only plots or ready-built homes. Now they can also build apartments, duplexes, attached villas, gated compounds and other formats. The goal is to give families more choice and allow developers to respond to different needs and budgets. Protecting funds One of the most significant updates concerns the state's financial role. The government can still help cover infrastructure costs, such as roads and utilities, when backed by a feasibility study. But the law now includes a new rule: once a contract is awarded, the government cannot change the amount it has committed to fund. This is meant to protect both public funds and private developers from uncertainty and unexpected cost shifts. The law also makes room for more direct private sector participation. By anchoring decisions about investment types and project structuring in economic feasibility, the authority can now adapt each project to attract the right kind of investor. The executive regulations, rather than the law itself, will spell out the operational obligations of these companies, allowing for quicker policy updates when needed. In addition to changing existing articles, the 2025 decree law introduces two new ones. The first grants PAHW clear authority to define the technical and planning standards for all components of a project - residential, commercial, industrial, or otherwise. The second allows the law to apply retroactively, letting the authority bring older or partially completed areas under the same legal framework. The government framed the changes as part of a broader legislative push to unlock private capital, accelerate housing delivery and improve the financial sustainability of state-backed development. The explanatory note accompanying the law said Kuwait remained committed to resolving the housing crisis, but stressed the need to rethink legal tools to make its plans viable. The amended law takes effect immediately. Ministers have been instructed to begin implementation from the date of publication in the official gazette.
Arab Times
a day ago
- Arab Times
VISA KUWAIT APP FLAWS TO BE FIXED SOON
KUWAIT CITY, Aug 3: In a step that signals more flexibility and development in terms of easing the experience of everyone, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah revealed that a meeting will be held on Monday with specialists on the 'Visa Kuwait' platform to address the observations made by citizens and expatriates regarding the launching of the platform. Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef confirmed in a telephone call with Editor-in-Chief Ahmed Al-Jarallah that 'development is ongoing until we reach the best, indeed the leadership, in this application at the regional level.' He said, 'We are keen on ensuring there are no groups that do not add value, but rather they have the means to spend. We intend to take into account all the feedback we receive on business or family visits, by adding new categories that were not previously available, including grandchildren, first-degree relatives of the spouse or a resident.' He added, 'every application, when launched, faces some sho Editor-in-Chief, the Arab Times
