Bahrain Airport starts gradual flight resumption after weeks of shutdown; Gulf Air announces limited services

Bahrain Airport Company, which operates and manages Bahrain International Airport, has announced a gradual resumption of flight operations. The move follows the reopening of Bahrain’s airspace, as confirmed by the country’s Civil Aviation Affairs under the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications. The decision marks the beginning of a phased recovery after weeks of disruption triggered by tensions in the Middle East region.On April 9, 2026, Gulf Air took to X and announced the resumption of its flight operations from Bahrain International Airport, following the reopening of Bahrain airspace. It further announced:“Our current network from Bahrain International Airport. Gulf Air is gradually resuming its commercial operations from Bahrain International Airport, following the reopening of Bahrain Airspace.” It shared the details of the flights with the destinations which included places like London, Riyadh, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Dubai, Jeddah and Kochi, among others.The airspace closure in the region was disrupted as a precautionary measure taken amid growing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Authorities halted all commercial aviation activity to ensure passenger safety.Gulf Air Group Chairman Khalid Taqi announced the news and said that “We are pleased to resume limited operations at Bahrain International Airport and look forward to progressively restoring our full network.” Meanwhile other airlines also continue to bear the brunt of the current geological issues. Emirates in Dubai has also gradually started operations since the initial shutdown of UAE airspace. With Dubai International Airport serving as a primary stopover for passengers, any reduction in Dubai bound flights causes immense issues on the connecting routes.Meanwhile passengers are advised to: Check flight status directly with their airline Head to the airport only if they have a confirmed ticketKeep checking the official airport announcements Keep documents readyBe prepared for delays, rescheduling, or rerouting As of now, full reopening of the airport and other airspaces in the Middle East depends on the current geo-political situation.