British Airways reverses decision to scrap Bahrain flights

Alamy via Reuters

• Anger in Bahrain at move
• Three flights a week to be kept
• Kuwait flights end in March

British Airways has reversed its decision to scrap flights to Bahrain but is still reviewing plans to end direct flights to Kuwait. 

The UK’s flag carrier announced two weeks ago that it would end its direct flights to Bahrain and Kuwait in the first quarter next year due to delays to the delivery of Rolls Royce Trent 1000 jet engines that power its fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.

The decision was met with anger in Bahrain, in particular, as locals campaigned to keep the route that has been in existence for 92 years. 

The airline confirmed to AGBI that following discussions, it will operate a service between London Heathrow and Bahrain International Airport three times a week from the start of the summer 2025 season. 

“This will increase to a daily service from the start of the Winter 2025 season,” the airline said in a statement. 

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Flights to Kuwait will be suspended in late March, as previously reported, but the decision will be kept “under review”, the airline told the Daily Mail. 

Bahrain Airport Company, operator of Bahrain International Airport, welcomed the decision, which it said would provide commercial opportunities for both the UK and Bahrain. 

“This route, which marked British Airways’ Concorde maiden voyage in 1976, has been a vital bridge for businesses, tourists, students and families alike,” the company said in a statement.