Middle East Airports Under Fire Amid Ongoing Conflict

Airports across Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, the UAE, and Iran are under attack. Some serve military functions, while others are civilian.

Kuwait International Airport Incident

On Monday, Terminal 1 at Kuwait International Airport suffered significant damage. A statement on Wednesday reported that Iranian attack drones targeted the airport, resulting in one death and injuries to more than 60 individuals. This included both passengers and airport staff.

The attack disrupted operations at a terminal that had recently reopened. This reflects how the regional conflict is increasingly affecting aviation sectors. Kuwait’s military noted that the drones caused substantial damage to Terminal 1, a facility that supports both Kuwaiti and U.S. air forces alongside civilian traffic.

Emergency Response

According to Kuwaiti health officials, the attack transformed the airport into an emergency zone. Over 25 ambulances and multiple doctors responded, conducting at least seven emergency surgeries. Verified footage displayed flames and smoke engulfing parts of the terminal.

The terminal came under attack shortly after Eid al-Adha’s peak travel period. Initially closed for months due to the conflict, it had recently resumed operations for travelers.

Officials have announced plans to reopen a different terminal for passenger use.

Regional Impact on Airports

The conflict has not only affected Kuwait International Airport. In Iraq, Iran targeted military bases at Erbil International Airport earlier this year, with U.S. forces stationed there. Other civilian airports, such as Baghdad International in Iraq and Bahrain International, have also been hit by missiles and drones.

In the UAE, both Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport endured attacks. Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport, Iran’s main international airport, was struck by Israeli forces in March, based on reports from Iranian media.

Travel Disruptions

The ongoing conflict has caused extensive disruptions for passengers traveling in the Gulf region. Airlines have reduced their schedules and suspended routes, partly due to costlier jet fuel linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, ticket prices have surged.

British Airways announced on Tuesday an extension of flight suspensions to destinations including Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bahrain, and Amman until late October.

Leo Sands, located in London, contributes to the Breaking News Hub of The New York Times.