Kuwait Airlines’ inaugural flight from the new Kuwait International Airport landed in Bahrain yesterday (August 8) and was warmly welcomed by state and airport officials.

Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrain's Minister of Finance, received his Kuwaiti counterpart, Dr Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf and his accompanying delegation, who arrived at Bahrain International Airport aboard the special flight.

Shaikh Ahmed was accompanied by Bahrain Airport Company chairman, the Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Engineer Kamal bin Ahmed Mohammed; Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Kuwaiti Ambassador to Bahrain, Shaikh Azzam Mubarak Al Sabah, and other officials.

Shaikh Ahmed extended his congratulations to the Emir of Kuwait, HH Shaikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; the Crown Prince, HH Shaikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah; and the Prime Minister, HH Shaikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, on the historic achievement the new terminal represents. He also stressed the importance of improving the level of cooperation between Bahraini and Kuwaiti authorities and praised the efforts of both countries’ governments to strengthen bilateral relations.

The new terminal, which will be used exclusively by Kuwait Airways and its subsidiaries, will play an important role in the ongoing development of Kuwait’s aviation industry. It also brings the country another step closer towards its Vision 2035 of becoming a leading financial and commercial centre.

The Minister of Transportation hailed Kuwait’s rapid development, particularly its aviation industry, and expressed his appreciation to Kuwait Airlines for choosing Bahrain as its first destination from the new terminal.

He said: “This demonstrates the close and historical ties between our two countries and the high level of cooperation between them. It shows the marked difference in the cooperative relationship between Kuwait Airways and BIA, which began in the 1960's when it operated its first flight to the kingdom. It will also help accommodate the increased demand for travel to Kuwait, which exceeds 70,000 passengers every year.”

The Emir of Kuwait personally inaugurated the new passenger terminal, which has a total area of 55,000-sq-m, 14 departure gates consisting of nine bridge gates and five ground gates, as well as 10 arrival gates consisting of nine bridge gates and a ground gate. - TradeArabia News Service