Bahrain's national carrier Gulf Air has announced the launch of its commercial operations to Israel with a twice-a-week service to the capital Tel Aviv.

 

The airline's debut flight GF972 took off from Bahrain International Airport at 10.40am yesterday (September 30), carrying officials from Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, the National Communications Centre, Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs, members of Gulf Air’s executive management as well as commercial passengers, thus marking the start of Gulf Air’s two flights a week service in the airline’s newest Airbus fleet.

 

On its landing at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, the aircraft was welcomed with a classic water cannon salute and the passengers were personally welcomed by the airport authorities, media and TAL Aviation, Gulf Air’s general sales agent in Israeli capital at an event held to celebrate the historic occasion. 

 

Speaking at the event, Gulf Air’s Acting CEO Captain Waleed AlAlawi said: "Today we are making history by connecting the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Israel with scheduled commercial flights. We welcome our friends in Israel to fly on Gulf Air and visit Bahrain and fly beyond to our extended network."

 

"The double weekly flights are just the start and we will periodically assess the commercial performance to upgrade frequencies whenever feasible and required," he noted. 

 

"I thank all the authorities here in Israel for making this inaugural flight as smooth as possible and for all the assistance offered to celebrate this special flight," he added.

 

Back in December 2020, Gulf Air signed five commercial agreements with five different Israeli aviation-related companies; a comprehensive MoU for a potential joint codeshare and commercial cooperation with El Al, a general sales agent agreement with TAL Aviation, a line maintenance agreement with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Aviation Group, a ground handling agreement with QAS Israel and an agreement with Newrest Israel for on-board catering.-TradeArabia News Service