Jazeera Airways has been recognised at the IDC CIO Excellence Awards, Kuwait, for Mission Barakah, a large-scale contingency operation launched to maintain air connectivity for Kuwait during the temporary closure of Kuwait International Airport earlier this year.

The award was selected from nominations across Kuwait and recognises the innovation, leadership and operational impact demonstrated by Mission Barakah, including the rapid deployment of technology solutions to manage a complex operating environment.

Launched on 11 March 2026, Mission Barakah established alternative operating hubs in Saudi Arabia and an integrated air-land corridor connecting passengers with Kuwait. During the operation, Jazeera Airways operated more than 1,500 flights and over 9,000 bus movements, providing around 200,000 seats across 27 destinations. The airline deployed 14 aircraft and more than 500 employees.

Technology was central to the operation, supporting coordination, operational visibility and real-time decision-making across multiple locations. Jazeera Airways teams developed and deployed digital tools, including the R2P Bus Monitoring System, which was created in five days to track and coordinate bus movements. Enhanced operational dashboards and data-driven tools were also used to support teams throughout the mission.

Barathan Pasupathi, Chief Executive Officer, Jazeera Airways, said: “Mission Barakah was an extraordinary test of our people, our systems and our ability to respond with speed and agility. Technology was at the heart of that response, enabling our teams to rapidly adapt our operations, connect multiple locations and make informed decisions in real time. This award is a proud recognition of the ingenuity and determination of our technology team and every colleague across Jazeera Airways who worked together to keep Kuwait connected. More importantly, it demonstrates what we can achieve when innovation is driven by a clear purpose and supported by exceptional teamwork.”

Praful Thummar, Vice President of Cybersecurity, AI and Technology at Jazeera Airways, said: “Mission Barakah demonstrated what technology can achieve when it is closely connected to a clear operational purpose. This recognition from IDC belongs to everyone across Jazeera Airways who brought together technology, operational expertise and teamwork to keep Kuwait connected.”

As part of the awards programme, Capt. Ayman Alshammari and Thummar also participated in panel discussions covering workforce development and the use of agentic AI across industries.

Jazeera Airways said it continues to invest in digital transformation, with technology playing an increasing role in supporting safety, operational efficiency, scalability and customer experience. -TradeArabia News Service