Bahrain's Wings: Exploring The Country's Airline Status

Bahrain is home to several airlines, including Gulf Air, Bahrain Executive Air Service (Bexair), and DHL International Aviation ME. Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has a long history dating back to 1950, making it one of the oldest commercial airlines in the Middle East. Over the years, Gulf Air has expanded its reach to serve numerous destinations across multiple continents, offering traditional Arabian hospitality and a range of services to cater to the diverse needs of its passengers. Bahrain Air, another notable airline, operated from 2008 until its voluntary liquidation in 2013, serving various destinations in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. With a dynamic aviation industry, Bahrain's airlines continue to play a significant role in connecting the country to the world, facilitating travel, and contributing to the growth of the kingdom.

Gulf Air: Bahrain's flag carrier

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has a long history dating back to 1950, making it one of the first commercial airlines established in the Middle East. Over the years, it has undergone significant growth and expansion, facing challenges but also achieving milestones.

The Early Years

Gulf Air's origins can be traced back to the late 1940s when Freddie Bosworth, a British pilot and entrepreneur, started an air taxi service connecting Bahrain with Doha and Dhahran. This venture evolved into the Gulf Aviation Company Limited, registered in 1950. By the early 1970s, Gulf Aviation had expanded its fleet to include Fokker F27 and BAC 1-11 aircraft, serving destinations such as Bahrain, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Kuwait.

Formation of Gulf Air

In 1973, the governments of Bahrain, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, and Oman purchased the BOAC Associated Companies' holding in Gulf Aviation. On January 1, 1974, the Foundation Treaty was signed, giving each government a 25% shareholding, and the operating company was rebranded as Gulf Air, becoming the flag carrier for these four states. With this new structure, Gulf Air expanded its route network, adding destinations like London, Bombay, Karachi, and Athens to its offerings.

Expansion and Challenges

The 1980s marked a period of growth for Gulf Air, including becoming an IATA member and expanding its fleet with Boeing 767s. However, the emergence of competing airlines, such as Emirates, presented challenges, with Gulf Air experiencing profit losses and postponing privatisation plans.

Restructuring and Sponsorships

In the early 2000s, Gulf Air underwent restructuring under the leadership of James Hogan, who was appointed president and CEO in 2002. During this time, Qatar withdrew its participation in Gulf Air to focus on its own national carrier. In 2003, Gulf Air introduced a new livery and established Gulf Traveller, a subsidiary offering full-service, all-economy flights. The airline also secured a sponsorship deal for the Bahrain Grand Prix, further enhancing its presence.

Full Ownership by Bahrain

By 2006, Abu Dhabi had also withdrawn from Gulf Air to establish Etihad Airways. This led to a shift in operations, and Gulf Air transitioned to a dual-hub model between Bahrain and Muscat airports. Despite these changes, the airline continued to face financial challenges, with restructuring plans, leadership changes, and job cuts occurring over the next several years.

Recent Developments

In recent years, Gulf Air has continued to focus on restructuring and exploring new destinations. In 2016, the airline ordered new aircraft from Airbus and Boeing to upgrade its fleet. While financial challenges have persisted, Gulf Air remains committed to serving its customers and expanding its reach.

Today, Gulf Air serves 50 destinations in 28 countries across three continents, renowned for its traditional Arabian hospitality. With its headquarters in Muharraq and its main hub at Bahrain International Airport, Gulf Air continues to be a significant player in the region's aviation industry.

Bahrain Air: a former airline

Bahrain Air was a privately owned national carrier that operated alongside Gulf Air, the Bahrain-based state-owned airline. It was formed in July 2007 with the aim of targeting the expanding budget airline market, particularly among the large expatriate populations from the Indian subcontinent living in the Gulf region. The airline was chaired by Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulla al-Khalifa, Bahrain's minister of state for defence affairs, and managed by Ibrahim al-Hamer, a former junior government minister.

Bahrain Air's shareholder base was divided between influential Bahraini and Saudi investors, with the former controlling 68% of the equity. The airline operated a small fleet of just eight leased Airbus aircraft, including six A320-200s and two A319-100s. It serviced over 20 cities, from Khartoum to Kathmandu, and planned to increase passenger numbers to 1 million per year by the end of 2010.

The airline's distinctive red and white livery could be seen across a range of destinations, including Kathmandu, Chittagong, and the Shia holy city of Najaf in Iraq. Bahrain Air aimed to attract passengers with limited budgets, whether business people or the general travelling public, and offered business class-style services alongside economy class.

In September 2009, Bahrain Air finalised plans to expand its fleet with the addition of three new Airbus aircraft. However, it is unclear when the airline ceased operations.

Bahrain Executive Air Service (Bexair)

Bahrain is served by several airlines, including Gulf Air—the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain—and Bahrain Executive Air Service, also known as Bexair.

Bexair was formed by Arabian Support & Services Co Ltd (ASACO) and is based at Bahrain International Airport. The airline operates its own executive aviation terminal, which handles all private and executive aircraft travel to and from the airport. Bexair provides a range of services, including flight operations, flight dispatching, aircraft maintenance, airworthiness administration, and account management. The airline's aircraft management program is designed to be flexible and efficient, serving the best interests of aircraft owners and operators.

Bexair's team of aviation experts can assist owners and operators in managing their aircraft, providing seamless solutions to their travel-related requirements. The airline assigns a dedicated account manager to each aircraft owner to coordinate all aspects of aircraft operations. This single point of contact allows owners to convey specific flight requirements, obtain status reports, and stay updated on maintenance and financial details.

Additionally, Bexair has a dedicated flight dispatch staff that helps flight crews obtain point-to-point flight planning, over-flight and landing permits, and handling services. If needed, Bexair can also source flight crews and maintenance personnel for aircraft operations. With its comprehensive range of services, efficient management programs, and dedication to serving the needs of aircraft owners and operators, Bexair plays a crucial role in executive and private aviation in Bahrain.

In-flight experience and entertainment

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, offers in-flight entertainment in the form of WiFi, TV, and movies. The airline also provides an in-flight magazine called Reesha. Gulf Air is committed to being an industry leader and developing products and services that reflect the evolving needs and aspirations of its passengers. This includes traditional Arabian hospitality, family-friendly products, and business-friendly products.

Gulf Air offers both two-cabin and three-cabin configurations. The premium cabins are known as Falcon Gold and provide access to Falcon Gold Lounges in Bahrain, Dubai, and London. Premium passengers at other airports can access certain lounges operated by other airlines. The airline also provides complimentary WiFi and medical assistance services for its passengers.

Bahrain Air, which operated from 2008 until it filed for bankruptcy in 2013, offered an in-flight magazine called Reesha, as well as meals and refreshments. The airline also had a frequent flyer program called the Loyalty Rewards Program. Bahrain Air provided online seat selection and web check-in options for its passengers.

Destinations and routes

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has been serving customers since 1950, making it one of the first commercial airlines established in the Middle East. The airline is headquartered in Muharraq and operates scheduled flights to 61 destinations in 30 countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe. Bahrain International Airport is the airline's primary hub.

Gulf Air's route network has expanded over the years, and by the 1970s, it included destinations such as Amman, Amsterdam, Athens, Baghdad, Bangkok, Beirut, Cairo, Colombo, Delhi, Dhaka, Hong Kong, Jeddah, Karachi, Khartoum, Larnaca, Manila, Paris, and Ras al-Khaimah.

In the 1980s, Gulf Air continued to grow, becoming an IATA member in 1981 and the first international airline to land in Riyadh in 1982. The airline added several new routes during this decade, including Frankfurt, Istanbul, Damascus, Dar es Salaam, Fujairah, and Nairobi.

The 1990s saw further expansion for Gulf Air, with the introduction of services to Singapore, Sydney, Thiruvananthapuram, Johannesburg, and Melbourne. The airline also added direct flights between Dubai and London, Muscat and London, and a daily service between Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah.

In the 2000s, Gulf Air continued to adjust its route network, discontinuing some routes while adding new ones. The airline introduced daily flights to Athens and Sydney via Singapore in 2003 and resumed flights to Baghdad in 2009. More recently, in 2019, Gulf Air briefly suspended flights to Pakistan due to increased tensions between India and Pakistan.

Gulf Air has a strong presence in the Middle East, serving destinations such as Doha, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait, and Oman. It also offers flights to major cities in Europe, including London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam. In Asia, Gulf Air flies to destinations such as Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Karachi.

The airline has also expanded its reach to North America, announcing plans to launch its first U.S. route in almost 30 years. Additionally, Gulf Air has its eyes set on China as a potential new destination.

Gulf Air's route network is designed to connect passengers from around the world through its hub in Bahrain, offering convenient connections and a traditional Arabian hospitality experience.

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