Embassies coordinate expats’ repatriations
KUWAIT: Kuwait’s International Airport remains closed, but some repatriation flights for expats wishing to leave are still operating. People wishing to travel home are asked to check with their embassies to know what flights are available and if their country is allowing returns at the moment.
Some embassies in Kuwait are repatriating their citizens, as citizens of Egypt, India, Turkey, Syria, and others can contact their embassies for information. Meanwhile, others are allowed to book by themselves if there is an available flight. In that case, people have to keep an eye on airlines’ websites or subscribe to their email service to receive the latest updates on operating special flights from Kuwait to some destinations. Flights can sometimes be canceled in short notice, however.
The UK embassy in Kuwait announced that Qatar Airways is still offering commercial flights out of Kuwait via Doha. However, with these challenging circumstances, airlines confirm/cancel flights at very short notice, sometimes the day before. The embassy also informed that people who are leaving from Mahboula should send full details to obtain special permission for them and for a person who will pick them up by sending WhatsApp to +965 9727-1877 a day before the flight.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy also affirmed that Qatar Airways is currently operating outbound flights from Kuwait to Doha (Hamad International Airport) with connections to selected US cities.
These one-way flights are available for US citizens and US Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs). The US embassy, on the website, notes that all other flight announcements will be sent to Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) registrants (https://step.state.gov/STEPMobile/Default.aspx), posted on the Embassy website (https://kw.usembassy.gov) and amplified by the Embassy’s social media platforms.
In the meantime, the Australian embassy also asked people who are traveling to Australia during the curfew (especially if they are resident in Mahboula or Jleeb AI-Shuyoukh), to email the Embassy on consular.kuwaitcity@dfat.gov.au.
For Jordanian citizens, the embassy in Kuwait launched a website (www.safelyhome.gov.jo) to register the names of people who wish to return, but priority is given for students, visa violators, then others. All foreigners in Kuwait should register with their embassy to stay updated on important news and iinformation from their home government regarding repatriation and other issues.