Travel chaos continued for a fourth day yesterday due to the ongoing situation in the region, with flights in and out of Bahrain still suspended until further notice.
Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air confirmed yesterday that flights have been grounded and it will continue to be the case until the Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs announces that it is safe to start operating again.
It is one of many carriers across the GCC that have cancelled flights since February 28 following Iran’s strikes on the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet base and, later, at other locations in the country, including the airport.
“Gulf Air flights remain temporarily suspended, as the closure of Bahrain airspace continues,” the airline said yesterday in a statement. “The airline will resume services once the Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs confirms the safe reopening of the airspace.”
Gulf Air’s next update is scheduled to be released at 11am today and, in the meantime, passengers are advised to visit the airline’s website or use its mobile app for the latest flight information.
On Monday, the Bahrain International Airport released a statement saying that flight operations remain temporarily suspended. “We will continue to provide updates as soon as further information becomes available,” the airport said in a statement. “We advise passengers to monitor the airport and respective airline official channels for the latest updates.”
Meanwhile, countries such as the UK and the US have updated their travel advisories not just for Bahrain, but the entire GCC.
Britain’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) now advises against all but essential travel to Bahrain and has urged UK expatriates in the kingdom to register their presence by filling an online form at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bahrain.
“This service is for British nationals to tell the UK government you’re in Bahrain,” the FCDO says on the website. “Once you have registered, we will send you important updates to our travel advice.
“You will need an email address and mobile phone number you can access along with your UK passport number. If you cannot use this online form, phone +44 20 7008 5000.”
So far it estimated that around 102,000 British expats across the Middle East have registered their presence out of an estimated 300,000.
While speaking to MPs on Monday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged all British citizens in the region to register so its government can provide ‘the best possible support’.
It is planning to send a charter flight to Oman prioritising vulnerable individuals who have been unable to fly home as planned.
As for the US, the government updated Bahrain’s travel advisory to ‘level three’ and urged its citizens to ‘reconsider travel’ to the kingdom.
“On March 2, the Department of State ordered non-emergency US government employees and family members of US government employees to leave Bahrain due to safety risks.
“Stay alert at all times, especially in locations frequented by tourists, and be aware of your surroundings.”
Thai foreign minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said yesterday that Thailand’s top priority was to evacuate all nationals who wanted to leave the Middle East, and the government was urgently working out safe routes and flight options amid airspace restrictions.
Mr Sihasak said that embassies across the region were co-ordinating with governments and had been preparing designated safe areas for residents while Thailand ‘continues to monitor the situation closely’.
Additionally, Philippines president Ferdinand Marcos Jr also said yesterday that 231 Filipinos in Bahrain had requested repatriation, and that the government was looking at options to safely take them back to their home country.
According to the latest figures by the Labour Market Regulatory Authority, there are more than 57,000 Filipinos in Bahrain, alongside approximately 2,564 Thai nationals, around 8,100 US citizens and almost 10,000 British nationals.
The GDN reported yesterday that a comprehensive recovery plan focused on restoring operations at Bahrain International Airport has been urged amid the continued suspension of flights due to airspace closure.
Muharraq Municipal Council chairman Abdulaziz Al Naar said the airport’s strategic role goes beyond national connectivity, describing it as a critical gateway linking Bahrain to the Gulf and wider international destinations.
He stressed that officials must be proactive and a clear and comprehensive recovery framework is essential to guarantee that once conditions stabilise, airport operations resume efficiently and confidently.
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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