If you’ve been checking flight schedules out of Kuwait International Airport, or you’re waiting on family flying in for the Saudi Football Super Cup, there’s a date worth knowing: Terminal 1 (T1) is set to resume operations this month, after a rough year of repairs and setbacks.
The terminal has been through two separate attacks since February, and this reopening is being described by officials as more than just an aviation update. It’s part of a wider rebuilding effort after months of disruption.
- Terminal 1 is expected to resume operations in November 2026.
- First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah announced the plan on 13 October.
- The terminal was hit twice this year by Iranian drone and missile attacks, most recently on 3 June, which killed one person and injured 63 others.
- Kuwait is also adding 20 counters at the Nuwaiseeb border crossing to handle Saudi fans travelling in for the Super Cup.
What happened to Terminal 1
The trouble started on 28 February 2026, when drones struck Kuwait International Airport. That attack caused material damage and minor injuries, and repair crews moved in soon after.
By 1 June, T1 had reopened to Arab and international airlines under what officials called a phased operating plan – meaning flights resumed gradually rather than all at once.
That return lasted two days. On 3 June, the terminal was hit again, this time by a drone and missile attack that Kuwaiti authorities say was far more serious. One person was killed and 63 others were injured. The damage forced the terminal to shut down again, undoing much of the progress made since February.
Why November matters
Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah announced on 13 October that T1 would reopen in November, timed deliberately ahead of Kuwait hosting the Saudi Football Super Cup. Large numbers of Saudi supporters are expected to travel in for the tournament, and the government wants the airport – and the roads leading into the country – ready for them.
That’s also why Kuwait is expanding capacity at the Nuwaiseeb border crossing, adding 20 dedicated counters for travellers. As we reported in our piece on Kuwait speeding up border checks ahead of the Super Cup, authorities are clearly treating this tournament as a test of how fast the country can move large numbers of visitors through its borders and terminals at once.
Officials and commentary around the announcement frame the reopening as a sign of resilience rather than just a logistics update – a reminder that repair work has continued despite two separate attacks in the same year.
What this means for travellers in Kuwait
For residents and citizens who fly regularly, a working T1 means more options for airlines and gates, easing pressure on whichever terminal has been carrying the extra load during the shutdown. If you have a flight booked around the Super Cup dates, it’s worth checking with your airline directly, since a phased reopening – like the one used in June – can mean some airlines return before others.
[EDITOR NOTE: a note here on how readers found T1’s operations during the earlier June reopening – queues, airline changes, or confusion over which terminal to use – would help other travellers plan ahead.]
Families and fans travelling overland for the Super Cup should also expect the Nuwaiseeb crossing to be busier than usual, even with the extra counters. Planning an earlier arrival at the border, rather than cutting it close to match day, would be sensible given the scale of cross-border traffic expected. You can find more on how Kuwait is preparing for this in our local news coverage.
Quick answers
When exactly will Terminal 1 reopen?
Officials have said November 2026, but an exact date has not yet been confirmed publicly.
Was Terminal 1 attacked more than once?
Yes. It was hit by drones on 28 February, causing minor damage, then hit again by drones and missiles on 3 June, which caused serious damage and casualties.
Why is the Nuwaiseeb border crossing relevant to this story?
Kuwait is expanding it with 20 extra counters at the same time as the T1 reopening, both timed around the arrival of Saudi fans for the Super Cup.
Is it safe to fly through T1 again?
The government has not given further technical detail beyond confirming the reopening plan announced on 13 October. This article will be updated if authorities release more safety information.
If you’re flying soon, it might be worth keeping an eye on official airport announcements rather than assuming T1 is already fully back – these things have a way of shifting by a few weeks. Have you noticed any changes at Kuwait International Airport recently? Let us know in the comments.
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