Aircraft Flee Bahrain as Gulf Airspace Shut Down Expands

‍MANAMA — Bahrain International Airport (BAH) suspended all flight operations on March 10 as the Middle Eastern regional airspace crisis entered its second week, with closures now stretching in a near-continuous band from Tehran to Tel Aviv.

Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq closed their skies entirely, while Iran, Israel, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia imposed severe restrictions. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) advised operators to avoid the airspace of eleven countries in the region, citing risks from missiles, air defense systems, and interception activity.

Carrier response

Gulf Air (GF) has suspended all operations indefinitely, with no ability to reroute, as BAH serves as its only hub. GF did offer a single frequency from Dammam (DMM) to Karachi (KHI) on March 10 to relieve network congestion and connect stranded passengers with confirmed bookings. 

Qatar Airways (QR) is operating limited emergency evacuation flights from Doha (DOH) to cities including London (LHR), Istanbul (IST), and Manila (MNL), using temporary travel corridors, and warning passengers not to show up without a confirmed ticket.

British Airways (BA) has already cancelled all Gulf and Levant routes through the end of March and announced repatriation flights out of Muscat (MCT). The British flag carrier will pause those flights on March 11 and 12 due to low demand. 

Turkish Airlines (TK), Air France (AF), KLM (KL), and Wizz Air (W6) issued similar suspensions across the region. Oman Air (WY) emerged as a lifeline, operating nearly 80 extra flights and moving over 97,000 stranded passengers.