Business and community leaders, diplomats and passengers have all welcomed British Airways (BA) decision to continue with direct flights from London to Bahrain, as highlighted in yesterday’s GDN.
The decision, announced by delighted bosses at Bahrain Airport Company, the operator of Bahrain International Airport, follows a successful GDN Media petition that attracted the support of thousands of people.
London-based Bahrain Society chairman Heather Harper MBE said: “The decision to keep the long established British Airways flights to the Kingdom of Bahrain is very welcomed.
“As a passenger I am very grateful to the GDN for its campaign, and to everyone who came out in support.
“The relationship between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom is long and strong. It stands in testament to Bahrain’s key role in aviation history – the gateway to the first passenger flights in the region, and making aviation history as a Concorde destination.
“May BA continue to fly the flag of aviation friendship between our two countries, connecting the world.”
The friendship organisation has been fostering the long-held strong ties between the people of Bahrain and Britain for almost six decades.
Two weeks ago, news circulated online and in the UK national Press, as highlighted in the GDN, that BA would ‘indefinitely axe all flights to Bahrain’ from early next year because of continuing problems with Rolls-Royce engines that power the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet.
The GDN – ‘the voice of Bahrain’ - roared into action and more than 2,700 verified supporters signed a GDN Media petition urging Sean Doyle, chairman and CEO of BA, to rethink plans and convince him of the route’s importance, popularity and sound business strength for his company, as well as to the UK and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
It appeared to be ludicrous to pull all direct flights just prior to next April’s Formula One Grand Prix bonanza that sees thousands of motor sports fans fly to the kingdom from and through London.
Moreover, the furore could not have come at a worse time for a new British Labour Government desperately driving forward trade talks with Gulf States ‘to turbocharge economic growth’.
As reported exclusively in the GDN, top-level talks quickly took place between Bahrain officials and BA management to ensure that direct flights by the UK’s national flag carrier between Heathrow and the new terminal at Muharraq, after almost a century of aviation partnership, continue.
The airline told the GDN in a statement: “Following discussions with our partners and stakeholders, we can confirm we 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.”
Delighted British ambassador Alastair Long said yesterday: “I quite understand the concern that BA’s original decision caused, given the history of this route and the always strong connection between our two kingdoms. I am delighted, therefore, that BA have been able to reconsider, persuaded by the strength of support from their flying customers.”
Regarded as one of the most high-profile British-born women in the kingdom in recent decades, Betsy Mathieson, co-founder of ‘This is Bahrain’, was equally enthused by the news.
“At first I would like to thank the Gulf Daily News on behalf of everyone who flies BA. Personally, I am delighted the news has come out and was in no doubt this would happen. The three flights a week, in the meantime, are the perfect solution to a temporary problem for British Airways who are not the only airline affected by the engine and logistic problems.
“We look forward to be able to fly the UK flag carrier from Bahrain to London and beyond. Speaking to many expatriates and Bahrainis over the last week everyone has been saying the same thing, that although BA might not be perfect they have the best on-going connections via Heathrow to the rest of the world.”
The connections available through BA were particularly important to thousands of US Navy personnel travelling from their Juffair base back home.
The guaranteed continuation of direct flights is good news for Bahrain’s tourism sector that has seen huge investment in luxury hotels, resorts and major visitor attractions.
Acclaimed hotelier Bernard de Villèle said: “As a French man married to a lovely British citizen, I have been a loyal member of British Airways enjoying gold flying status, I am over the moon for all of us in the Kingdom of Bahrain that BA will keep flying. This is great news for this incredible kingdom. It was a worthy campaign fought by the GDN and all the English Press, as well as the authorities.”
Members of the British Chamber of Commerce Bahrain (BCCB), widely recognised in Bahrain and the UK as a leading impartial business sector group, were among the most vocal campaigners, describing the baffling original decision as a ‘disappointment’.
Enthusiasm has evaporated a cloud of disappointment. Paula Boast, BCCB vice chair, said: “The British Chamber are very pleased that BA has reconsidered its position. It is a clear indication that it recognises that its partnership with the Kingdom of Bahrain is paramount to ensuring strategic success, particularly for trade and investment purposes. We look forward to working with BA and to supporting them in any way we can moving forward.”
Bizarrely, the UK’s Daily Mail claimed under-fire British Airways’ decision to drop plans to scrap flights to the key Middle East airport of Bahrain was ‘a victory’ for its newspaper, although it did acknowledge that thousands had signed a petition demanding the change.
Those petitioners answered the GDN campaign and for that we acknowledge the might of our family of readers, followers and connections. Thank you, together we can make a difference.
managingeditor@gdnmedia.bh
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