British Airways (BA) has cancelled all its flights to and from Bahrain and London until the end of the month.
News of the airline’s action came to light when passengers booked on flights early this week were suddenly sent replacement tickets to different regional airports, some with no connecting transportation to Muharraq.
Initially, a BA spokesman said flights would be suspended until tomorrow but late last night revised its statement, adding that Jordan would be affected too.
“Like other airlines, due to current operational constraints and airspace restrictions, we have temporarily adjusted our schedules to and from Amman and Bahrain,” a spokesman said.
“Safety is always our top priority, and we're contacting customers to apologise and advise them of their travel options.
“These flights are currently suspended up to and including Monday, June 30, and we continue to monitor the situation closely.”
The GDN asked for clarification as to whether its ‘operational constraints and airspace restrictions’ were the result of the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, or engine issues which months ago resulted in reduced services, or a combination of both. The airline did not respond before this newspaper went to press.
Gulf Air continues its direct flights in and out of London, with economy and business class seats sold out on some dates, and other regional operators such as Qatar Airways continue to fly to and from Bahrain, via Doha, to the English capital.
Cancelled flight
Suggested flight to Riyadh instead
One Scottish BA passenger was looking forward to travelling to the kingdom today to celebrate her daughter’s birthday. Her daughter is an assistant professor at a Bahrain University.
To her despair, her direct flight from Heathrow was cancelled and the British pensioner was sent a replacement flight ticket to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, with no connecting flight or alternative transportation to Bahrain.
When BA customer service was contacted the pensioner and her daughter were told that there was ‘a problem with the aircraft’ and all booked passengers had been placed on alternative routes.
Following heated discussions over many hours an alternative flight to Bahrain was arranged on code partner Qatar Airways, via Doha.
A BA flight was due to land in Bahrain at 7.05am yesterday was also cancelled as part of the company’s new policy.
Late last year, news circulated online and in the UK national Press, as highlighted in the GDN, that BA would ‘indefinitely axe all flights to Bahrain’ 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 chief executive 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.
Within two weeks, business and community leaders, diplomats and passengers were celebrating the airline’s decision to continue with direct flights from London to Bahrain.
The decision was announced by delighted bosses at Bahrain Airport Company, the operator of Bahrain International Airport.
Today, the company was busy dealing with the challenges of the current Middle East crisis and Bahrain International Airport issued an updated statement. It said: “Due to the closure of airspace in certain countries across the region, some of the flights may be delayed or cancelled. We advise passengers to check directly with their respective airline for the latest updates before heading to the airport. We appreciate your understanding and patience.”
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