BeOnd Targets 10 Aircraft Under Bahrain AOC
Maldives-based premium leisure carrier BeOnd has signed a Letter of Intent with Bahrain’s civil aviation authority to establish a subsidiary operating under a Bahraini air operator’s certificate, as part of a broader Gulf expansion strategy.
Under the proposed plan, BeOnd aims to base up to 10 aircraft at Bahrain International Airport by 2030. The move would mark a significant step in the airline’s ambition to build a multi-jurisdictional operating structure and expand its presence beyond the Maldives.
Chief executive Tero Taskila described the initiative as a natural progression for the airline’s growth model, emphasizing the strategic importance of the Gulf region in supporting premium leisure traffic flows between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
BeOnd currently operates under a single Maldivian AOC with a fleet consisting of one Airbus A319-100 and one Airbus A321-200. The carrier focuses on premium leisure travel, offering all-business-class configurations on routes connecting the Maldives with key international markets.
The Bahrain development aligns with BeOnd’s previously stated ambitions to secure additional operating certificates in the Gulf. In early 2025, the airline announced plans to pursue a second AOC in the United Arab Emirates. Later in 2025, it confirmed that it had also applied for certification in Saudi Arabia, underscoring its intention to establish multiple regulatory bases in the region.
By diversifying its AOC footprint, BeOnd seeks to enhance operational flexibility, access new markets, and position itself closer to high-yield demand centers. A Bahrain-based operation could allow the airline to launch new routes linking the Gulf with Europe, Asia, and leisure destinations while leveraging the kingdom’s growing aviation infrastructure.
The carrier has also explored expansion into the United States through a partnership with New Pacific Airlines. After the US airline entered bankruptcy, BeOnd indicated it would seek alternative partners to advance its US ambitions.
If realised, the Bahrain AOC would significantly increase BeOnd’s fleet scale and geographic reach, reinforcing its strategy of building a premium-focused network supported by multiple operating jurisdictions.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com