Bahrain Airport to increase destination network by more than 50%

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Manama, Bahrain

Bahrain has launched its National Aviation Strategy for 2026–2027, setting out a roadmap to boost air connectivity by 52% and expand its baseline network from 66 to 100 destinations by 2030, alongside higher projected contributions to GDP and quality employment opportunities.

Unveiled at Bahrain’s Awal Private Terminal, the strategy outlines plans to develop an integrated aviation ecosystem aligned with international standards and transform Bahrain International Airport into a global centre for commercial and private aviation, MRO and logistics, linking Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

The strategy comes as BIA reported its strongest‑ever annual performance in 2025, handling 9.74 million passengers – a 4.2% increase on 2024 – with its live network already expanded to 74 destinations as it moves towards the 100‑destination target.

Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, said the strategy reflects Bahrain’s commitment to “strengthening its position as a leading regional and global aviation hub”.

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To accelerate delivery, a series of agreements were signed at the launch, including a partnership with boutique leisure airline Beond to establish a premium carrier in Bahrain and base up to 10 premium‑configured aircraft in the kingdom by 2030. The airline will target high‑value leisure and business markets, reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a luxury travel hub.

Beond is expected to contribute an estimated US$1.2–1.5 billion to Bahrain’s GDP in its first five years of operations, creating more than 1,200 direct high‑skilled jobs and 6,000 indirect roles across tourism, hospitality and logistics. The airline also plans structured training programmes for pilots, cabin crew, engineers and ground staff, supported by simulators in Bahrain.

Beond premium airline

Another agreement was signed with The Helicopter Company (THC) to introduce private helicopter transfers from Bahrain Airport to destinations within the kingdom and across the border to Saudi Arabia, including the first international helicopter service to Dammam.

These developments reflect robust growth in Bahrain’s aviation sector, fuelled by airport expansion and strategic partnerships such as AirAsia X’s move to position the kingdom as its Gulf hub. The Malaysian long‑haul low‑cost carrier will resume flights from Kuala Lumpur to London Gatwick in June 2026, adding Bahrain as a stopover on its daily service, with plans to scale up to more than 25 daily flights via the kingdom by 2030.

Now connected to 74 destinations across six continents via 39 airlines, Bahrain Airport continued to broaden its reach in 2025. National carrier Gulf Air added a second London service to Gatwick alongside Heathrow and launched its first transatlantic route to New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport.

For more information, visit mtt.gov.bh/telecommunications and bahrainairport.bh