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Gulf Air plans 30% increase in London flights amid network expansion

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Gulf Air plans 30% increase in London flights amid network expansion
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Bahrain's national airline, Gulf Air, is seeking to expand its flight frequency to London by 30% as part of a broader review of its network. Currently operating two daily flights from Bahrain to London Heathrow, the carrier aims to enhance its international presence. The decision follows an analysis of Gulf Air's existing routes and potential opportunities for growth.

Gulf Air CEO Jeffrey Goh stated, "We spent the first half of this year looking at network proposals and what of the existing network makes sense. The network goes back 40-50 years, and Gulf Air wasn’t well connected to financial centres or leisure markets."

The expansion plan faces challenges, notably slot constraints at London Heathrow, one of the most sought-after airports globally. If additional slots at Heathrow are unavailable, Gulf Air may consider using London Gatwick as an alternative.

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Another challenge is acquiring new aircraft necessary for this growth. Global supply chain disruptions have impacted aircraft availability, with two of Gulf Air's Boeing 787 Dreamliners currently grounded.

Besides London, Gulf Air is eyeing other destinations for expansion. Recent additions include Shanghai and Munich, with plans to increase flights to Delhi and Mumbai and potentially launch services to the Maldives. Goh commented on the strategic growth approach: "The pie is big enough for us to have a slice of the market. We have disciplined ambitions on growth."

Looking further ahead, Goh mentioned recalibrating their network map through 2028 by dropping non-fitting destinations and announcing new ones. Discussions about restarting US flights were also highlighted in talks with Simple Flying’s route expert James Pearson.

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