Bahrain, Kuwait airports shut indefinitely: What alternatives for travellers?

Gulf Air has confirmed that all inbound, outbound and transit flights remain temporarily suspended as regional airspace closures continue to disrupt aviation operations.

Bahrain relocates aircraft to Saudi Arabia
The Bahraini flag carrier said the suspension will stay in place until authorities declare the airspace safe for normal operations again. The airline noted that services will gradually resume once clearance is provided by Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs.

Passengers have been advised to regularly check the airline’s official website and mobile application for the latest flight status updates and travel advisories.

Meanwhile, Bahraini aviation authorities have taken additional precautionary steps to safeguard the country’s aviation infrastructure. Officials confirmed that several aircraft based at Bahrain International Airport have been temporarily relocated to alternative airports across the region.

According to the regulator, the repositioning involves empty aircraft and forms part of contingency planning designed to maintain operational readiness and ensure the continued safety of air traffic during the ongoing situation. Bahraini and foreign residents benefit however of limited repatriation flights out of nearby Dammam airport. They can also fly out of Dammam with regular services. A transit visa is however necessary to enter Saudi Arabia.

The measures come as Gulf aviation authorities remain on high alert amid heightened regional tensions affecting airspace management and flight routing across the Middle East.

Kuwait airport closed for many weeks due to damage on infrastructure
In Kuwait, the situation is more challenging. Kuwait Airways has suspended all flights indefinitely after drone strikes caused damage to Kuwait International Airport, including Terminal 1, the runway, and fuel depots.

The airport closure is not only due to the ongoing war with airspace restrictions. It is now considered to be a physical infrastructure issue as repairs to facilities are likely to take a couple of weeks.

According to Kuwait Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), no commercial flights will occur as long as repairs, safety inspection and clearance of Kuwait’s airspace have not been confirmed. So far no reopening date has been advanced.

For people needing to go to Kuwait, two alternatives exist : flights out of Dammam in Saudi Arabia with some of Kuwait Airways frequencies based there. And flights out of Qaisumah Airport -also in Saudi Arabia- with low-cost carrier Jazeera Airways.

The airline offers to passengers to check-in at Jazeera Airways Park & Fly in Kuwait and then board the airline-arranged transfer bus to Qaisumah Airport (AQI).

Expatriates need however to obtain a transit visa in advance from Saudi Arabian authorities before to go by road to both airports or to book a flight.