Bahrain airport logs best-ever passenger traffic in 2025

Bahrain International Airport (BIA) achieved its strongest annual performance to date in 2025, handling 9.74 million passengers, a 4.2% increase compared to 9.3 million in 2024. The airport’s busiest day for passenger traffic was recorded on 8 August.

 

Aircraft movements rose to 97,740 in 2025, reflecting improved flight occupancy and more efficient runway use. The highest daily aircraft movement occurred on 14 April, with peak activity registered at 01:00 for air traffic and 21:00 for passenger flows.

 

The year also saw Singapore, Bengaluru, Najaf in Iraq and two UAE destinations – Abu Dhabi and Sharjah – emerge as BIA’s five fastest-growing routes, underscoring demand recovery and expansion across both regional and international markets.

 

The strong results align with the stellar performance of Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air, which reported double-digit year‑on‑year passenger growth in October and November 2025, up 18% and 27%, respectively.

 

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Bahrain International Airport (BIA), now connected to 74 destinations across six continents via 39 airlines, extended its global reach in 2025. Gulf Air added several new routes, including a second London service to Gatwick alongside Heathrow, and its first transatlantic route to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, launched on 1 October 2025.

 

The carrier also began flights to Ashgabat, Liège, Nairobi, and Bucharest, strengthening Bahrain’s position as a key hub between East and West.

 

Reflecting on the milestone year, Bahrain Airport Company Acting CEO Ahmed Mohamed Janahi said BIA had demonstrated “remarkable operational reliability and connectivity” over the past year, facilitated by the dedication of its airline partners and the wider airport community.

 

Building on this momentum, Gulf Air’s 2026 network expansion will see the resumption of seasonal routes to Geneva and Nice via Milan and the launch of two new Mediterranean destinations – Málaga, Spain, and Al Alamein, Egypt – on 17 and 18 June, respectively. The airline is also expanding its wide‑body fleet with a firm order for 15 Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliners, plus options for three more.

 

These developments support Bahrain’s broader tourism strategy, with the kingdom aiming to attract 14.1 million visitors by 2026, according to Mabrian.

 

For more information, visit bahrainairport.bh