KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Civil Aviation announced on Sunday that it has submitted a second formal letter of protest to the International Civil Aviation Organization regarding unlawful Iranian violations and attacks against Kuwait’s sovereignty through breaches of its airspace and facilities at Kuwait International Airport, and the serious consequences these actions have had on civil aviation safety and security.
The authority said the protest letter stressed that these attacks constitute a serious and flagrant violation of international conventions and agreements governing civil aviation. It added that the incidents posed a direct threat to the safety of passengers, airlines and airport personnel, as well as the airport’s facilities and critical infrastructure.
The authority noted that the latest attack, which targeted Terminal 1 (T1) last Wednesday, resulted in fatalities, serious injuries and extensive material damage. It also led to the suspension of air traffic operations and the temporary halt of flights to and from Kuwait International Airport, directly affecting air transport services and passenger movement.
It explained that the gravity of the incident was compounded by the fact that it occurred only 48 hours after the reopening of Terminal 1 and the resumption of operations by Arab and international airlines, following the completion of repairs and rehabilitation work after damage caused by an earlier attack on the airport on Feb 28. The authority noted that Kuwait had made significant efforts to restore the facility and resume normal and safe air traffic operations.
In its official complaint, the authority called on ICAO to take urgent and firm measures to protect civil airspace and aviation facilities, prevent the recurrence of such violations and hold those responsible accountable in accordance with international law and internationally recognized aviation safety and security standards. The authority reaffirmed Kuwait reserves all its rights under international law to take whatever measures it deems necessary to protect its sovereignty, security, airspace and civil facilities, and to ensure the safety of passengers, airport personnel and infrastructure at Kuwait International Airport. — KUNA
