LOYAL passengers, business leaders and former British Airways (BA) employees have joined the growing army of protesters concerned by the carrier’s reported move to axe all direct flights from London to Bahrain.
This comes as thousands of readers, residents and travellers have signed a GDN Media petition to help convince BA chairman and chief executive Sean Doyle to keep the route alive and the crews and support team members in their posts.
“BA’s withdrawal next year is something most people thought could never happen and will not be seen as something that should be done to a long-standing friend and ally,” BA manager – Gulf area from 1982 to 1985 Peter Woodrow told the GDN.
“It’s not a good move for ‘UK PLC’. Presumably, it is only temporary while the airline is hit by a global shortage of Rolls-Royce engine parts but is nevertheless regrettable and needs to be reversed as soon as possible,” he added.
According to a statement issued by BA, the airline has had to make ‘further changes to their schedule as they continue to experience delays to the delivery of engines and parts from Rolls-Royce – particularly concerning the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines fitted to their 787 aircraft’.
Online reports suggests the UK flag flyer will permanently sever all services from Heathrow directly to Bahrain International Airport at the end of March, shortly before the Formula One grand prix in Sakhir when flights are annually fully-booked.
The history between Bahrain and BA goes back to 1932, when the carrier first launched its flights to the Gulf region. The pre-Second World War services featured flying boat operations, run by predecessor airline Imperial Airways that continued into the post-war years. BOAC, another predecessor airline, launched a Bristol Britannia service in 1959, which served a number of Gulf destinations, including Bahrain.
The airline even celebrated its 75th anniversary with an event at the British Embassy in Manama during which the then British ambassador Jamie Bowden hosted a joint embassy and BA reception describing the first BA flight to Bahrain as an event of ‘historical significance’.
Speaking about the important role the kingdom played in the history of the airline, Mr Woodrow added: “From the earliest times of Imperial Airways, operations to Bahrain has always been a key point on the BA network.
“For many years, BA’s Gulf regional headquarters was on the island and its relations with it were built and always excellent. Amongst other things, this enabled BA to begin Concorde operations to London and later Singapore while the US at first refused to accept the aircraft.”
The former Bahrain resident also highlighted how BA and its top management team had been significantly involved in helping with the formation of Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national carrier.
“On a more personal note, BA staff have found Bahrain an easy, excellent and friendly place in which to live and do business. In this, the Kanoo family and many other Bahrain people and families have also played very significant parts,” he added.
Another historical flight commenced operations between London and Bahrain in 1976 – the first scheduled flight by a BA Concorde. It symbolised the strong ties between Bahrain and the UK, which have continued over the decades.
“When I first arrived in Bahrain as part of the Concorde Endurance Flying Programme, the country was amongst the first to accommodate the transformational Boeing 747 aircraft bringing tens of thousands of passengers to the region. At that time Bahrain was the gateway to Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf countries,” Al Hilal Group’s managing director Ronnie Middleton, who worked for BA from 1975 to 1978, noted, proudly recalling his professional association with the carrier.
A ‘disappointed’ Mr Middleton believes that the decision to terminate the Bahrain route is misplaced and does not take into account a number of social and commercial considerations.
“The kingdom is enjoying a boom in business and for BA to cut its ties to both Bahrain and Kuwait when the region as a whole is undergoing dramatic development and growth appears counter intuitive,” he added.
“What will happen is that the UK will lose what has been an important and effective brand ambassador and BA will lose future commercial opportunities because of what seems to be a ‘knee-jerk reaction’ to what should be solvable short term supply chain issue.
“Bahrain’s history is intertwined with Great Britain and whilst there will, of course, continue to be flights to the UK supported by Gulf Air and other carriers, the impact on both local and expatriate travellers will result in a narrowing of choices in terms of direct flights to the UK, as well as a likely increase in fares,” added the business entrepreneur, who has called Bahrain home for 49 years.
melissa@gdnmedia.bh
Sign the GDN Media petition urging British Airways to continue its direct flights from London to Bahrain. Together, we need to convince Sean Doyle, chairman and CEO of British Airways (BA), of the routes’ importance, popularity and sound business strength for his company, as well as to the UK and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Visit: https://chng.it/W6Ss4kTFSh or place your smartphone over the logo.
Campaign reaction to why BA should continue flying directly from the UK to Bahrain
I love flying British Airways to London
Rasha Qahtani, Bahrain.
I love BA.
Phillip McBain, Bahrain.
We need BA direct flights and they should not be halted.
Haren Asar, Bahrain.
The direct flights are ‘a must’ to Bahrain! Make it happen please!
Simonetta Pancaldi, Bahrain.
I use this flight regularly.
Jim Keenan, Saudi Arabia.
A lot of families travel back and forth to the UK from Bahrain and rely on BA direct flights.
Dena Wales, Bahrain.
You are the best.
Khalid Turk, Bahrain.
It will be a sad day when BA stops flying to Bahrain.
Mariam Potter, Bahrain.
I have been using BA regularly to fly from Bahrain to London and on to the US. I love the airline and its connectivity options. Also, my children are studying in the UK and US they have been using BA for their travel back to Bahrain. I would appreciate if the services are continued.
Ravi Mehra, Bahrain.
Coz I love flying BA to UK.
Sarosh Aibara, Bahrain.
My family use this airline at various times each year.
Aliya Mohamed, Bahrain.
I travel constantly.
Abdulla Haji, Bahrain.
Bahrain will lose out. It is a good service, and has been here for years and should not go.
Julia Yousef, Bahrain.
It is a shame that after 92 years, BA has decided to stop! Yet all other routes in the Gulf are still on, except Kuwait. I wonder what the real reason is. We need it to continue, travellers are not happy with this decision.
Arwa Sayyar, Bahrain.
I fly British Airways often and it is convenient. I want to continue to do so.
Sandra Al-Ajmi, Bahrain.
BA offers unmatched connectivity to Europe and America. BA has a strong product. I have personally used BA for my three consecutive travels to the US. The flexibility offered by BA, along with its codeshare partners American Airlines, is of immense value. BA should continue to operate either with a reduced frequency or by combining Bahrain and Kuwait in a single flight, keeping its daily service.
Mandar Vaze, Bahrain.
BA my lifeline!
Diane Mitchell, Bahrain.
I use BA to fly from London to Bahrain and would be very upset if they stopped it for good.
Saja Kabalaoui, Bahrain.
I love flying BA and have for many years flown annually back and forth to Bahrain. They are an amazing airline, give us choice of carriers as a direct flight to London and employ many locals as well.
Jane Parks, Bahrain.
I’ve flown this route for 30-plus years. BA is always my preferred choice. It would be such a shame taking this choice away.
Jacqueline Parker, Bahrain.
I want BA to continue direct flights to Bahrain.
Rose Santos, Bahrain.
The whole family has been travelling to London since 1982. We will miss BA.
Chaudhry, Bahrain.
Down the years, getting on the BA flight back and forth to Bahrain was very pleasant, convenient and comfortable. It is a service and tradition worth preserving for the people of Bahrain.
Imelda Fakhro, Bahrain.
I use this route regularly and would be affected hugely if it is removed.
Candida Wooldridge, UK.
This is the flight used by my son to make regular visits home while living in Bahrain.
Judith Sheppard, UK.
It is important to me. BA keeps foreign nationals in their crew. Passengers take a lot of comfort from having a diverse crew on board, it’s essential for our national carrier to continue to do this.
Angela Worth, UK.
Bahrain is an important station and lots of our ‘Gold Card’ holders and regular customers are devastated at the latest news. Our Bahrain base colleagues play a major role on this route. Our customers know each of them by name. Keep flying to Bahrain and keep our Bahrain crew who are a huge asset to British Airways.
Maria Mounir, UK.
Campaign reaction to why BA should continue flying directly from the UK to Bahrain
As a half-English half-Bahraini man, this flight path gives me access to my home, and allows my father to regularly see his wife and children throughout the year. My parents have been relying on British Airways for more than three decades to keep my family connected, and by closing this route it will severely impact our way of life. There are many families in the same situation as me, half the country is foreign, and a large portion of those foreigners are British, so the struggles we will be facing will be replicated so many times over.
Talal Al-Khamiri, UK.
Stand in solidarity with all the Bahrain-based cabin crew who have been ambassadors for BA for the decades I’ve been flying with them. This really needs to be reconsidered.
Kaleem Ljaz, UK.
This is a very busy route, F1, tourism and financial. Why would BA cut this route and close the BAH base. BA need Arabic crew onboard for OA announcements and for non-English speaking customers!
Liz Lawrence, UK.
It’s a base employing so many loyal crew who have given everything to make BA a success in the Middle East.
Aftab Ahmed, UK.
I love my Bahrain-based crew and they are an asset to British Airways. They do not deserve to have their jobs taken away.
Amy Cutts, UK.
The Middle East is a growing region. Many sports etc are now held there. BA should keep these routes and if necessary decrease frequency on other routes rather than pull out altogether.
Laila Harris, UK.
BA, it would be such a shame to take this service away from your customers, who have relied and utilised this service for many years! Please re-consider this decision BA, not only for your loyal customer base but also your Bahraini employees.
T Miller, Cheshire, UK.
I go to Bahrain for work. This is a vital service for a lot of people who have been using BA for years on this route. Why now cut it as the planes are always full?
Alison Norbury, UK.
I’m cabin crew and don’t want them to lose their jobs or the route.
Colin May, UK.
I personally fly BA direct from London.
Steven Lord, UK.
British Airways need to keep the good relationship going with Bahrain, Kuwait etc.
Susanna Cotta, UK.
I support our colleagues in Bahrain! What’s happening is absolutely disgraceful!
Zane Barlow, UK.
It doesn’t make sense, and worrying that there will be no adequate substitution.
Pamela Nash, UK.
It is an essential route.
Gillian Smith, UK.
It is a good route for access to the Middle East with excellent onward connections.
Nadya Peet, UK.
So many people rely on this direct route, so please don’t cancel it.
Pauline Baldwin, UK.
They need to keep the crew base open and there will be no competition if BA pull out.
Paul Nicholson, UK.
My granddaughter is cabin crew and I don’t want her to in line for losing a job she loves so much.
Anne Hickey, UK.
I am signing to show my support to the Bahrain BA team and to the country in general as they are losing an important link.
Laurence Keniston, UK.
BA have a long history of serving these routes and have built a great reputation and a loyal following, served by a professional team who have invested great passion and commitment to ensure the success of these routes. In many cases, their own lives and careers depend on the success of the routes and business and cultural links are stronger on their account. I urge BA to examine all options and possibilities for the continuation of these culturally and commercially important routes.
Malcolm Reasons, UK.
I was a regular passenger when I lived in Bahrain.
Rory Keelan, Cyprus.
BA is our preferred carrier and has been flying here for over 90 years!
Kelly Grant, Australia.
I don’t wanna to lose my job.
Magda Elgamal, Egypt.
Fly British Airlines to Bahrain.
Temesgen Leta, Ethiopia.
I strongly recommend that BA cancel plans to stop flying to Kuwait and Bahrain.
Amna Aljassim, Kuwait.
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