Kuwait files second ICAO complaint over Iranian attacks on airport, airspace - Transport

KUWAIT: Kuwait's Public Authority of Civil Aviation submitted a second official protest letter to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regarding what it described as Iran's repeated attacks and violations of Kuwait's airspace sovereignty and Kuwait International Airport facilities.
In a statement to KUNA, the authority said the protest letter stressed that the attacks constituted a serious and flagrant violation of international treaties and conventions governing civil aviation and posed a direct threat to the safety and security of passengers, airlines, airport personnel and vital airport facilities.
The authority noted that the latest attack, which targeted Terminal 1last Wednesday, resulted in fatalities, serious injuries and extensive material damage. It also caused the suspension of air traffic operations and the temporary halt of flights to and from Kuwait International Airport, directly affecting air transport services and passenger movement.
Furthermore, it stressed that the seriousness of the incident was compounded by the fact that it occurred only 48 hours after the reopening of Terminal 1 and the resumption of operations by Arab and foreign airlines following repairs and rehabilitation works carried out after an earlier attack on the airport on February 28.
Kuwait had made significant efforts to restore the vital facility and resume air navigation operations in a safe and normal manner before the latest incident occurred, it added.
In its letter, the authority called on ICAO to take urgent and decisive measures to ensure the protection of civil airspace and aviation facilities, prevent the recurrence of such violations and hold those responsible accountable in accordance with international law and globally recognized aviation safety and security standards.
The authority reaffirmed that Kuwait reserves all its rights under international law to take appropriate measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security, airspace and civil facilities and to ensure the safety of passengers, employees and infrastructure affiliated with Kuwait International Airport.