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Kuwait International Airport is undergoing continuous expansion efforts to establish itself as a prominent air hub in the Gulf region, with the addition of a state-of-the-art second terminal. This new terminal is meticulously designed to elevate passenger comfort to the highest standards, solidifying the airport’s role as the premier gateway to Kuwait. Construction for this project began in 2017 and is currently underway.
Read on as Wego highlights everything that we know about the new Kuwait International Airport Terminal 2.
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Kuwait International Airport Terminal 2 project details
Kuwait has experienced rapid economic growth, largely driven by a substantial increase in air traffic at Kuwait International Airport. Over the past 15 years, passenger numbers have tripled, rising from under five million in 2004 to surpass 15 million in 2019. Projections indicate that this figure is expected to reach 25 million by 2025.
In response to this anticipated growth, the Kuwaiti Government unveiled an investment plan for the expansion and modernization of the airport. The comprehensive project encompasses the construction of a new passenger terminal, the addition of a third runway, and the expansion and renovation of the existing runways and facilities.
The new state-of-the-art terminal is being constructed in three phases. The first phase is expected to sustain a capacity of 13 million passengers a year. The next phases will enhance the capacity to between 25 million and 50 million passengers a year.
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Kuwait International Airport Terminal 2 location
The upcoming Kuwait International Airport Terminal 2 will have the same location as the currently operational terminal of the Kuwait International Airport. The total enclosed area of the project is 750 sq. m.
Kuwait International Airport Terminal 2 completion date
Construction of the Kuwait International Airport Terminal 2 commenced in May 2017, with an initial completion target set for August 2022. However, in response to the global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the project timeline underwent a shift, and the anticipated completion date was subsequently extended first to 2024, and eventually to 2025. A specific opening date is yet to be announced.
Please note that we will update the information as and when released by the officials.
Kuwait International Airport Terminal 2 design
The design of Kuwait International Airport Terminal 2 draws inspiration from local art and architecture. The choice of construction materials is tailored to the climate of one of the hottest zones on Earth, where the airport is situated.
The terminal, boasting an impressive edge length of almost 1.2 km and a clear height of up to 25 m, features a robust supporting structure consisting of reinforced concrete, steel and reinforced concrete shell structure, steel trusses, a secondary roof structure, and a distinctive facade.
The main reinforced concrete structure incorporates elements reminiscent of bridge construction, including main hollow columns comparable to bridge piers and building cores. The canopy, equipped with 8,000 skylights, extends to the entrance plaza and is upheld by tapering concrete columns inspired by the interplay between the solidity of stone and the movement of Kuwait’s traditional dhow sailing boats.
Internally, the terminal prioritizes simplicity and user-friendliness, incorporating minimal level changes for enhanced convenience.
Kuwait International Airport Terminal 2 features
The Kuwait International Airport Terminal 2 will consist of four above-ground levels and one below-ground level, with 120 check-in desks and a 13MAP baggage handling system capable of processing 2,930 bags per hour. The baggage conveyors will stretch approximately 6km, and high-speed baggage sorters will cover around 1.5km, featuring integrated screening, storage, and sorting capabilities.
Efforts will be made to minimize walking distances, with 30 to 51 aircraft contact stands in the initial phase. The landside area will include parking, ground transportation centers, offices, DGCA headquarters, hotels, and additional facilities like a multi-storey car park, taxiways, and aprons.
A new landside access point will connect the terminal from the south through a road linking the King Faisal Motorway 51 and the 7th Ring Road. Plans also include a metro line connecting the airport to Kuwait City center. Access to the new terminal will be facilitated through a car park, and a bus and coach station featuring designated lanes and zones for VIPs, premium passengers, and public vehicles.
In terms of sustainability, the project aspires to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification, aiming to be the world’s first terminal to attain this level of environmental accreditation. Notable sustainable features include a substantial number of photovoltaic panels on the roof for solar energy production and the incorporation of thermal mass within the terminal facility.
