Think about the last time you passed through Kuwait International Airport. Maybe you snapped a photo of your boarding pass, filmed your bags on the belt, or went live on social media while waiting for a relative to land. That everyday habit just ran into a new rule.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has banned photos, videos and live streaming inside the airport for staff and anyone working there. The move comes just as Kuwait prepares for Terminal 1’s reopening this November, so it’s a good moment to know what’s changed.
- Circular No. 60 of 2026 bans photos, videos and live streaming across all of Kuwait International Airport.
- It covers passenger terminals, admin and technical buildings, and all Civil Aviation Authority facilities.
- It also bans sharing internal documents, security procedures, camera footage, and aircraft or operations data.
- Anyone who breaks the rule faces legal accountability under Kuwait’s laws.
What exactly does the circular say?
The circular was issued on 5 November 2026 by Acting Director General of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, Engineer Saad Al-Otaibi. Article One sets out where the ban applies: every part of Kuwait International Airport. That means passenger terminals, administrative and technical buildings, and any other building or facility belonging to the Civil Aviation Authority.
It’s not only about holding up a phone camera. The circular also bans photographing or publishing internal documents and correspondence. It covers information about security procedures and systems, inspection checkpoints, surveillance cameras, aircraft movements and day-to-day operational activity. In short, anything that shows how the airport works behind the scenes is now off-limits to record or share.
Who does this apply to?
The wording targets employees and all entities operating at the airport, meaning staff of airlines, ground handlers, government departments and contractors based there. It doesn’t single out passengers directly, but it’s a useful reminder for travellers too. Airports worldwide treat security areas as sensitive, and Kuwait’s circular makes that expectation official and written down for everyone working on site.
If you’ve followed Kuwait’s recent rule on showing airport fees clearly on tickets, you’ll notice the Civil Aviation Authority has been active lately on rules affecting the airport experience. This photography ban is part of that same push to tighten how the airport is run and presented.
Why did the authority introduce this?
The Civil Aviation Authority said the airport and its facilities are vital and sensitive installations. It pointed to the need to protect the privacy of both employees and passengers. It also cited operational requirements and the public interest as reasons behind the decision.
In plain terms, officials don’t want footage of security checkpoints, surveillance systems or internal operations ending up online. That kind of material, even shared innocently, could expose how security works or breach someone’s privacy without them knowing.
You can read more on our Local news hub for how this fits with other recent Kuwait rules, including on schools and salaries.
What happens if someone breaks the rule?
Article Two of the circular is direct: anyone who violates it will face legal accountability under Kuwait’s applicable laws, regulations and decisions. The circular doesn’t list a specific fine or punishment, so the consequences would depend on which law applies to the specific breach, whether that’s a civil service rule or a security-related offence.
[EDITOR NOTE: a line here about how strictly this is likely to be enforced for ordinary travellers taking a quick photo, versus staff filming operational areas, would help readers judge their own risk.]
When does it take effect, and what law is it based on?
Article Three says the circular takes effect immediately from the date it was issued, 5 November 2026. It must be shared with all sectors and departments working within the Civil Aviation Authority and the airport itself, so staff across the board are expected to already know about it.
The circular is based on several existing laws. These include Decree-Law No. 15 of 1979 on the Civil Service and its amendments, the Civil Service System issued on 4 April 1979, Decree-Law No. 85 of 2025 which brought in Kuwait’s Civil Aviation Law, and Civil Service Commission Circular No. 2 of 2021 on the Code of Conduct for Government Employees. Basically, the authority is using existing civil service and aviation law as the legal backbone for this new ban.
What this means if you live in Kuwait
If you work at the airport, in any role from ground staff to administration, this circular applies to you directly. Taking a casual photo for your own phone, filming a colleague, or posting a quick video from a work area could now put you at risk of a legal issue.
For regular travellers and families picking people up, it’s a reminder to be careful with cameras near security areas, checkpoints or operational zones, even if a rule isn’t aimed at you by name. It also fits a pattern of tighter airport management, alongside news like Jazeera Airways receiving its first new A320neo jet and new scanner technology being rolled out at airports in the region.
Quick answers
Does this ban apply to passengers taking selfies?
The circular is written for employees and entities operating at the airport. It doesn’t clearly extend the ban to ordinary passengers, but it’s safer to avoid photographing security checkpoints, cameras or staff work areas.
Is there a fine amount set for breaking the rule?
No specific fine or penalty figure is given in the circular. It says violators face legal accountability under Kuwait’s existing laws and regulations, which would be applied case by case.
When did the rule start?
The circular took effect immediately from its issue date, 5 November 2026, under Circular No. 60 of 2026.
If you work near the airport or pass through it often, it’s worth keeping your phone in your pocket in operational areas from now on. Have you noticed stricter checks on photography at Kuwait’s airport recently? Let us know in the comments.
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