Bahrain Airport Capacity Hits Record High in August 2024

Bahrain is experiencing a surge in air travel capacity, reaching an all-time high in August 2024, driven by new routes and expanded services from both established and emerging airlines. According to data from OAG Schedules Analyser, the number of departure seats from Bahrain this month has hit approximately 640,000—a 9% increase compared to the same period last year and a 2% rise from July 2024. This surpasses the previous record of 625,600 seats set in August 2018.

The primary contributor to this growth is the national carrier, Gulf Air, which has significantly expanded its route network over the summer. Gulf Air has launched new services to several international destinations, including Guangzhou, Geneva, Munich, Rhodes, and Shanghai. Additionally, flights to Iraq resumed in April after a four-year hiatus, and frequencies have been increased on existing routes to key destinations such as Doha, Muscat, Manchester, Milan, and Rome.

The newly introduced routes to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Shanghai Pudong International Airport are particularly noteworthy, operating three and four times per week, respectively. These flights represent the only direct connections between Bahrain and mainland China, underscoring Gulf Air’s strategic expansion into the Chinese market.

Gulf Air’s aggressive growth strategy has cemented its dominance at Bahrain International Airport (BAH), where it holds a commanding 64% share of all departure seats in August 2024. Emirates follows with 5.2%, while flydubai accounts for 3.7%. The airport is also serviced by other major international carriers, including British Airways, Etihad, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines, contributing to the overall growth in capacity.

New market entrants are also playing a role in Bahrain’s capacity surge. Pakistan’s low-cost carrier Fly Jinnah launched a twice-weekly service from Islamabad in June, adding to the competitive landscape. In September, Saudi Arabian low-cost carrier Flynas is set to introduce a new route from Madinah, complementing its existing flights from Jeddah and Riyadh.

The increase in scheduled capacity from Bahrain in August is part of a broader trend of robust performance for the Gulf Air Group, which includes both Gulf Air and Bahrain Airport Company. Gulf Air reported an 8.5% increase in passenger volume during the first half of 2024, serving 3.1 million travelers compared to the same period last year. The airline’s capacity expanded to over 4.3 million seats, with a passenger load factor of 77.9%, indicating strong demand across its network.

Bahrain Airport Company also posted impressive growth, with passenger volume at BAH rising by 13.2% to 4.6 million travelers in the first half of 2024. Air traffic movements increased by 9.4%, surpassing 48,000, reflecting the airport’s growing role as a key regional hub.

This record-breaking capacity in August 2024 marks a significant milestone for Bahrain’s aviation sector, driven by strategic expansions, new route launches, and increased competition. As the country continues to enhance its connectivity, Bahrain International Airport is poised to strengthen its position as a leading gateway in the Middle East.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, OAG Schedules Analyser