A PARLIAMENTARY proposal urging the government to urgently study the possibility of selling a stake in Gulf Air to private investors was rejected yesterday.
The motion, which called for the partial privatisation of Bahrain’s national carrier while maintaining a 51 per cent government ownership under Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, failed to secure enough support from legislators.
Out of 27 MPs present, 17 voted against the proposal, five supported it and five abstained.
The proposal said private investment would help revitalise Gulf Air, injecting much-needed capital and global expertise into the airline, improving its competitiveness and easing the financial burden on public funds. Shared ownership would ensure sustainability while retaining national control.
Supporters contended that partial privatisation would position the national carrier to compete more effectively with regional carriers and enhance the quality of its services.
Opponents, however, voiced concerns about the timing and implications of such a move, saying allowing private investors could undermine efforts to increase Bahraini employment within the company and potentially weaken national oversight of a strategic sector.
The rejection comes after a similar motion also failed to gain acceptance during an earlier parliamentary term.
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