Gulf Air has restored three-quarters of its international network and is aiming to return to full operations by June 1, marking a significant step in Bahrain’s aviation recovery after months of regional airspace disruption and altered flight patterns.The national carrier of Bahrain is now operating services to 40 destinations across 24 countries, reconnecting passengers through Bahrain International Airport as frequencies are added in phases. The restoration covers routes across the Middle East, Europe, South Asia and Africa, with the airline working to rebuild both point-to-point traffic and transfer flows through its Manama hub.
The recovery plan follows a difficult period for Gulf aviation, when conflict-linked airspace restrictions forced airlines across the region to cancel flights, reroute aircraft and adjust schedules. Gulf Air temporarily shifted some operations through King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, to preserve connectivity while Bahrain’s airspace was affected. The return of services through Bahrain International Airport has allowed the carrier to rebuild its network in stages rather than resume the full schedule at once.
Martin Gauss, chief executive of Gulf Air, said the airline was moving towards full restoration as more routes return each day. He credited staff with maintaining continuity during the recovery period and said the carrier remained focused on reliable service, passenger support and smooth connections through Bahrain.
The airline’s phased restoration includes key regional and long-haul markets such as Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, London, Nairobi and Dhaka, along with several South Asian cities including Mumbai, Kochi, Delhi, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram. The mix of restored destinations reflects Gulf Air’s dependence on both regional business travel and high-volume expatriate and leisure traffic linking Bahrain with South Asia, Europe and Africa.
Gulf Air has also extended support measures for passengers affected by the disruption. Customers holding confirmed bookings until June 30 are eligible for one complimentary date change, with rebooking allowed until March 31, 2027. The airline has also extended FalconFlyer miles, points and tier statuses due to expire between March and May until June 30, giving loyalty members more time to use benefits affected by cancelled or altered journeys.
The June 1 target is important for Bahrain’s wider travel economy. A full schedule would support inbound tourism, business travel, cargo movements and transfer traffic at Bahrain International Airport, which competes with larger Gulf hubs in Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi. Bahrain has positioned aviation as part of its broader economic diversification strategy, and Gulf Air remains central to that effort despite operating on a smaller scale than some neighbouring carriers.
The recovery also comes as Gulf Air continues efforts to reposition itself as a premium boutique airline. The carrier has been upgrading its passenger experience, expanding digital services and adding onboard connectivity. Its first Starlink-equipped commercial flight signals a push towards high-speed inflight internet as airlines across the region compete on service quality as well as route coverage.
Seasonal expansion remains part of the strategy. Services to Mediterranean destinations such as Málaga and Al Alamein are aimed at summer leisure demand, while returning routes to Europe and the Caucasus are expected to strengthen outbound travel from Bahrain and regional transfer flows. The planned return of services to London Gatwick, Larnaca, Baku, Tbilisi, Shanghai, New York and Al-Qassim from June would further broaden the carrier’s reach if the operational recovery remains on track.
Fuel prices and regional security remain the main risks to the timetable. Airlines operating through Gulf airspace continue to monitor geopolitical developments, insurance costs and route safety assessments. Any renewed closure of air corridors could force longer flight paths, higher operating costs and fresh delays, particularly on east-west routes that depend on Middle Eastern airspace.
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Bahrain