Bahrain and Qatar set to resume flights soon

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Bahrain - Flights between Bahrain and Qatar are shortly set to resume for the first time since 2017, according to Transportation and Telecommunications Minister Mohammed Al Kaabi.

He told MPs during Parliament’s weekly session yesterday that an agreement has been reached, following communication between the civil aviation authorities of both countries.

“It is just a scheduling matter that needs to be finalised,” added the minister. “This comes as an agreement has been reached between both countries to resume direct flights.”

His Majesty King Hamad underlined the need to settle all pending issues with the ‘brotherly state of Qatar’ so as to achieve the aspirations of both countries’ citizens, at Monday’s Cabinet meeting.

The GDN also reported that a phone call was held last week between His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, with the Amir of Qatar, Shaikh Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani, and similar sentiments were shared.

The minister was speaking as MPs unanimously approved a Government-drafted aviation agreement with Bosnia and Herzegovina, which has now been referred to the Shura Council for consideration.

“The national carrier – Gulf Air – has 32 aircraft and decisions on destinations are based on a commercial and operational perspective that suits the airline at the moment,” added Mr Al Kaabi.

MPs suggested services should also be scheduled once again to Iraq, Syria and Iran to meet public demand but the minister pointed out that negotiations and agreements regarding a variety of factors were still ongoing.

“Regarding the destinations mentioned by MPs, we believe that they are profitable and preferable,” he said. “However, there are old aviation agreements and there is work to revise them. We have had talks with the Iraqi side, for example, and unfortunately things did not progress fast from their part.

“This particular matter is still under study and we are very much interested in resuming direct flights to Iraq.”

Mr Al Kaabi said there were also plans to introduce new flights both regionally and further afield. “We’re trying to attract more airlines and at the moment we have 72 commercial and cargo airlines working from Bahrain and the target is to reach 100 by 2025.

“There were two temporary flights weekly to Bosnia and Herzegovina and, as a result of growing demand, we want to formalise arrangements and increase the frequency.”

MPs also approved an urgent proposal to conduct ‘a review’ of Gulf Air destinations with additions and eliminations based on market demand, which would be referred to the Cabinet for review.

Parliament first deputy speaker Abdulnabi Salman suggested Bahrain needed to explore new markets, while returning flights to ‘preferable destinations’.

“Adding Bosnia and Herzegovina to the line-up is a good move and should be followed by much more.”