Gulf Air plans return to Bahrain hub after Iran conflict disruption

Gulf Air, one of the airlines hardest hit by the US-Israel-Iran conflict, has announced a planned return to its Bahrain hub.

The flag carrier was forced to suspend flights entirely and then to temporarily relocate its operation over the border in the Saudi city of Dammam after fighting in the region closed airspace over its home airport. 

The country’s Civil Aviation Authority mandated a ban on all flight operations, meaning Bahrain International Airport was closed to all air traffic.

Gulf Air was one of the most affected airlines

With airspace closed, both Gulf Air and Kuwait Airways had no choice but to move. Both airlines redirected their capacity from their respective hubs to Dammam in Saudi Arabia.

The city, located in the north of Saudi Arabia and close to Bahrain, has allowed the national airline to maintain a limited schedule. 

Gulf Air has been operating a ground shuttle for passengers to get them from Bahrain to Dammam. The journey by road takes around 1.5 hours, with pick up and drop off at the Bahraini International Exhibition and Convention Centre rather than the airport. 

Ticket prices include both the shuttle service and a Saudi transit visa.

However, even the ground transport element of the operation has not been straightforward. 

On Tuesday, the King Fahd Causeway that connects the two countries was temporarily shut after a security scare. It later reopened. 

Gulf Air to ‘gradually resume’ services

Following the announcement of a conditional two-week ceasefire agreed between Iran and the US, Gulf Air has now said it will “gradually resume” services from Bahrain. 

In an update to passengers, the carrier said: “In light of Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs’ recent confirmation of the Kingdom’s reopening of airspace, Gulf Air’s scheduled services to and from Bahrain International Airport will gradually resume.”

After more than a month without incoming flights, Gulf Air flight GF9008, a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, landed at 22:09 local time on Wednesday, from Dammam.

On Thursday afternoon, Gulf Air operated two Airbus A320neos, from Medina and Riyadh, and an A321neo from Dammam, into Bahrain.

Gulf Air added that the airline’s temporary operations to and from Bahrain via King Fahd International Airport in Dammam would also continue.

The carrier provided two links for passengers to book flights either from Bahrain International Airport or King Fahd International Airport. 

Gulf Air has retained its rebooking and refund policy, which allows passengers on all Gulf Air flights until 15 April to request a full refund.

Those with Gulf Air tickets until 15 April may also rebook free of charge onto Gulf Air-operated flights up to 30 June.

Disruption to Middle East air travel likely to continue

There is no guarantee that the ceasefire will hold, and disruption to flight schedules looks likely to continue. 

A statement from Bahrain Airport Company, which manages the airport, confirmed the gradual resumption of flights. 

But it said passengers were advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights.

Until the outbreak of the war, Bahrain International Airport had been on a growth trajectory. The airport welcomed 9.74 million passengers in 2025, up 4.2% from 9.35 million in 2024, with cargo also increasing over the period.

Pre-war, the Bahrain International Airport network reached 74 destinations, with new additions last including London Gatwick, Nairobi, New York, Bucharest, Ashgabat, and Liege. 

Featured image: Markus Mainka | stock.adobe.com

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