State-owned Kuwait Airways says it will lay off 1,500 expatriate employees due to “significant difficulties” caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“In dealing with the coronavirus crisis and its negative impact on commercial operations ... Kuwait Airways announces the termination of around 1,500 non-Kuwaiti employees,” the airline said on Twitter.

It said the decision comes as part of a “comprehensive plan” to deal with the pandemic's economic impacts which meant the company is facing “significant difficulties”.