Kamal Ghorui
Bahrain has officially reopened its airspace, allowing flight operations to resume at Bahrain International Airport after a multi-day suspension triggered by escalating regional tensions.The closure, which lasted several days at the height of the crisis, was enforced as a precautionary measure amid missile and drone threats across the Gulf. Authorities diverted and grounded aircraft, effectively halting commercial aviation and disrupting regional travel corridors.The reopening was confirmed by Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) under the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications, which said the decision followed a comprehensive security review and coordination with regional air traffic authorities.Airport operator Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) stated that operations are being restored in a phased and controlled manner, with safety clearance remaining the top priority.
Gulf Air flight resumption
National carrier Gulf Air has begun limited scheduled operations, reconnecting Bahrain to more than 15 key destinations in the first phase of recovery.The airline has prioritised routes with high passenger demand, particularly across the Gulf and South Asia. Early resumed destinations include Dubai, Jeddah and Riyadh, alongside long-haul connectivity to London Heathrow.A major focus is on India and nearby markets, with flights restarting to Mumbai, Delhi, Kochi, Hyderabad, Thiruvananthapuram, and Dhaka. Services have also resumed to Islamabad and Lahore in Pakistan, along with Nairobi in East Africa.Officials confirmed that flight frequencies remain limited, schedules will expand gradually depending on operational readiness and airspace stability. Ticket bookings have reopened on these routes, but availability remains constrained due to reduced capacity and aircraft repositioning during the shutdown.
Regional conflict disrupts Gulf aviation
The temporary shutdown was part of a wider regional aviation disruption caused by heightened geopolitical tensions. Bahrain closed its skies entirely to commercial traffic, a move mirrored by several neighbouring countries as a safety precaution.During the peak of the crisis:
- Commercial flights were suspended across Bahrain
- Aircraft were relocated to safer airports
- Thousands of passengers across the Gulf, Europe and South Asia faced cancellations and delays
Airlines, including Gulf Air, paused operations completely until authorities deemed conditions safe. The disruption had a cascading effect on transit passengers, particularly those travelling between Europe, the Gulf and the Indian subcontinent.
Phased recovery, limited schedules
With airspace now reopened, authorities stress that operations are not yet back to normal. Flights are running at reduced capacity under strict coordination between civil aviation authorities, defence agencies and regional air traffic controllers.Passengers are advised to:
- Check flight status before departure
- Expect schedule changes or delays
- Arrive early due to additional checks
Gulf Air said it is contacting affected passengers directly and will continue restoring routes in phases. More destinations and increased frequencies are expected in the coming days, depending on regional stability.While the reopening marks a critical step forward, officials caution that the situation remains fluid. The aviation sector is entering a gradual recovery phase, not a full restart, with airlines balancing demand against ongoing geopolitical risks.
