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Gulf Air has taken a significant step towards launching direct flights between Bahrain and the United States. The airline recently submitted an application to the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) seeking permission to operate these flights using its own aircraft.
Currently, Gulf Air is limited to marketing flights to the US through codeshare arrangements or wet leases. However, on December 4, the airline filed for an exemption and amendment of its foreign air carrier permit. This request aims to enable Gulf Air to conduct operations with its own fleet, likely involving their Boeing 787-9 aircraft. This model is currently the only long-haul capable jet in Gulf Air's fleet, which includes ten such planes.
In a statement included in their application, Gulf Air expressed a desire for "the Department [to] remove the condition limiting Gulf Air’s operations to the U.S. to codeshare service or wetlease flights operated by a duly authorized and properly supervised U.S. or foreign air carrier and allow Gulf Air to operate using its own aircraft and crews."
