Jazeera Airways to resume Kuwait–Mangaluru charter link via Dammam

Mangaluru: Kuwait-based Jazeera Airways is set to reconnect Mangaluru with the Gulf through special charter flights beginning April 8, operating twice a week via Dammam in Saudi Arabia, sources said.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved the temporary arrangement, under which services will run on Wednesdays and Sundays.

In a unique travel plan, passengers will be transported by road from Kuwait to Dammam — a journey of around six hours — including a mandatory stop at the Saudi border for immigration checks. From Dammam airport, they will board flights to Mangaluru. The return journey will follow the same route in reverse.

Flight J9 3417 is scheduled to depart Kuwait at 8:40 am (local time) and land in Mangaluru at 4:10 pm IST. The return service, J9 3418, will leave Mangaluru at 4:55 pm IST and arrive in Kuwait at 7:40 pm (local time).

The airline had earlier operated similar charter flights during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping stranded passengers travel between the Gulf and coastal Karnataka.

Sources said the airline is considering increasing the frequency to four weekly flights, depending on approvals.

The move is expected to ease travel for the sizeable expatriate community from Karnataka living in Kuwait, especially those from the coastal belt.