Gulf Air targets full flight recovery by June

Gulf Air expects to restore full flight capacity by 1 June 2026, as regional aviation continues to stabilise following disruption linked to the Iran war.

CEO Martin Gauss told CNBC that the Bahrain carrier is seeing strong forward bookings across its network and is not facing fuel shortages despite continued volatility across regional aviation markets and elevated jet fuel prices linked to the conflict.

Gulf Air temporarily suspended Bahrain-based operations earlier this year following regional airspace closures triggered by the war, shifting part of its network to King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, to maintain connectivity. In April 2026, the airline resumed flights from Bahrain International Airport after the kingdom reopened its airspace under a temporary ceasefire.

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Services across regional and international markets have been reinstated, including Dubai, Riyadh, Jeddah, London Heathrow, Nairobi and Dhaka, alongside routes to multiple Indian cities including Mumbai, Kochi, Delhi, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram.

The carrier is also continuing its wider transformation strategy to position itself as a premium airline. Earlier this week, Gulf Air launched its first Starlink-equipped commercial flight, introducing high-speed inflight internet connectivity as part of a broader onboard upgrade programme.

Recent expansions to Gulf Air’s network include new seasonal routes connecting Bahrain with Málaga in Spain and Al Alamein on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, targeting growing outbound demand for summer coastal destinations.

For more information, visit gulfair.com