Jazeera Airways, Kuwait's leading low-cost carrier since 2004, serves over 60 destinations in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe, with Cyprus joining its European network from the summer of 2023.
In a recent interview with IN Business magazine, the company's CEO, Barathan Pasupathi, shared the vision and strategic moves behind the company's rapid growth, analysing the importance of the Cypriot market in its expanding routes.
Jazeera Airways has experienced significant growth in recent years. What is the strategy behind this expansion, and what is your personal vision for the company?
Our growth has been the result of a focused strategy to expand our network, streamline operations, and enhance the customer experience. We’ve added new direct routes to underserved destinations across Europe, Central Asia, and the Gulf, while investing in fleet expansion with more fuel-efficient aircraft.
Jazeera’s vision is to build a strong, sustainable low-cost carrier that delivers value to passengers and contributes to Kuwait by creating jobs, establishing direct connectivity, and building aviation hub talent and expertise. We’re constantly looking at new opportunities—whether it’s expanding our terminal infrastructure, opening a second base, embracing digital experience, or growing ancillary revenue. At the heart of it, we want to be the airline of choice for smart, affordable travel and we keep the customers at the heart of everything we do.
What are the key reasons supporting and maintaining Jazeera Airways’ strategic investment in Cyprus, and what factors make Cyprus an attractive market for your company?
From Kuwait, Cyprus has been a go-to destination since the 70s. Jazeera reestablished connectivity as it offers a strong mix of tourism, business travel, and connectivity potential. It’s geographically well-positioned between Europe and the Middle East and fits perfectly within our narrow-body aircraft network.
The island’s year-round good weather and vibrant tourism sector make it an attractive destination for both leisure and business travelers from Kuwait and the wider GCC. We’ve seen steady demand on our Kuwait–Larnaca route, and Cyprus continues to offer long-term value as we expand our footprint into Europe.
How do you assess Cyprus’s potential as a regional hub for enhancing the connectivity of your network—particularly to destinations that Jazeera Airways does not currently serve directly?
We see strong potential in Cyprus as a regional hub to enhance connectivity beyond our current network. Its strategic location at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa makes it an ideal springboard to destinations we don’t yet serve directly.
By leveraging partnerships or potential future connections from Larnaca, we can offer passengers more seamless travel options into Europe and surrounding regions. It’s a well-connected, stable market with solid infrastructure, and we’re actively exploring ways to build on that to create greater value for our network and customers.
Do you see Cyprus evolving into a seasonal or year-round destination within Jazeera’s network? How does seasonality impact your route planning strategy?
Cyprus has the potential to evolve into a year-round destination within our network. While it’s traditionally seen as a seasonal market, we’re seeing growing demand outside the summer peak—especially from leisure travelers and the expat community in the GCC.
Seasonality definitely plays a role in our route planning. We continuously monitor demand trends and adjust capacity accordingly—scaling up in peak months and optimizing fleet deployment in the off-season. That said, with Cyprus offering mild weather, strong tourism infrastructure, and increasing year-round appeal, we see opportunities to expand beyond just seasonal service.
How does the airline’s collaboration with Sky Masters CY, your General Sales Agent (GSA) in Cyprus, enhance your operations and customer engagement in the region?
The airline's collaboration with Sky Masters CY, our General Sales Agent in Cyprus, significantly enhances our operations and customer engagement through several key areas.
First, local market expertise from Sky Masters CY provides insights into customer preferences and demands, allowing us to tailor our services effectively.
Second, their established relationships with local travel agencies and businesses facilitate seamless distribution of our offerings, increasing visibility and accessibility.
Third, efficient operations are supported through streamlined sales and marketing initiatives, improving response times and customer service levels.
Lastly, joint promotional efforts boost brand awareness and attract new customers, leading to increased passenger traffic and revenue in the region.
Overall, this partnership strengthens our presence in Cyprus, making our airline a preferred choice among travelers.
How do global economic conditions—such as rising fuel costs and geopolitical conflicts—affect your operations? More broadly, what would you say is the greatest challenge facing Jazeera Airways in such a competitive and ever-changing industry?
Global economic conditions like rising fuel costs and geopolitical instability certainly impact our operations. Fuel is one of our largest expenses, so we actively manage costs through hedging strategies and by operating a fuel-efficient fleet. Geopolitical events can also affect passenger flows and route viability, which is why agility and rapid decision-making are key to how we operate.
More broadly, the greatest challenge we face is staying competitive while maintaining profitability in a dynamic industry. Low-cost travel is all about stimulating growth with affordable and accessible fares, which means we keep costs low as well—so we focus heavily on efficiency, digital transformation, and enhancing the customer experience. Our ability to adapt quickly and innovate is what keeps us resilient and growing.
As a low-cost carrier, how does Jazeera Airways manage to maintain high standards in customer service, operational reliability, and—above all—safety?
At Jazeera Airways, safety is a No. 1 priority and an important part of our culture. Being a low-cost carrier doesn’t mean compromising on quality—especially when it comes to safety, service, and reliability. We invest continuously in training, maintenance, and compliance with the highest international standards.
Operational reliability comes from running a lean, well-planned network with disciplined on-time performance. And while we keep our fares competitive, we never lose focus on the customer experience—from intuitive digital services to friendly onboard care. It's about doing the essentials exceptionally well, and I believe that’s what sets us apart in the low-cost space.
What are the company’s main goals for the next 3 to 5 years? Are there plans for new destinations or strategic partnerships?
For the next five years, Jazeera Airways is focused on sustainable and robust capacity growth with a strong focus on transformation across all segments of the business. This includes enhancing the mobile, web, and omnichannel passenger experience and customer service.
With 26 new Airbus aircraft including 18 A320s and 8 A321s on order and growing passenger traffic, we are scaling operations, entering new markets, and accelerating our commercial and e-commerce strategy while building capacity in terminals and airline infrastructure to cater to 10 million passengers in 5 years.
More about Jazeera Airways
Jazeera Airways, Kuwait’s leading low-cost carrier since 2004, serves over 60 destinations across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Operating a modern Airbus fleet, it offers affordable, high-quality travel with a focus on safety, innovation, and customer service—pioneering digital solutions and owning its dedicated terminal at Kuwait Airport.
• Number of destinations included in your flight schedule: 60+
• Annual number of passengers carried by Jazeera Airways globally (not limited to Cyprus routes): 4.9 million
• Total number of employees at the company: 1,400+
• Total number of aircraft in your fleet: 24 (11 A320neo, 13 A320ceo)
• Geographical regions served by the airline through its network: Middle East, Central & South Asia, Africa, and Europe
