Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, reported solid operational performance in 2025, carrying 6,647,879 passengers—a 5% increase compared to 2024—while operating 52,099 flights across its network.

The airline achieved a notable improvement in operational efficiency, with the average passenger load factor increasing to 81.6%, up from 77.0% in the previous year, demonstrating stronger utilisation of capacity and sustained demand across key markets serving Bahrain.

Cargo operations continued to play an important role in supporting the Kingdom’s trade and logistics objectives.

In 2025, Gulf Air recorded a total cargo uplift of 77.7 million kilograms, reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a regional gateway for air cargo and connectivity between regional and global markets.

The last month of 2025 underlined the strength of travel demand to and from the Kingdom of Bahrain.

In December 2025, Gulf Air carried 651,291 passengers, compared to 508,771 in December 2024.

The airline operated 4,613 flights during the month and achieved a passenger load factor of 87.1%, highlighting strong year-end demand and effective network and capacity management.

As a key strategic milestone in 2025, Gulf Air strengthened its long-term wide-body outlook with the placement of a new order for 15 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, with options for an additional three.

This order represents a significant investment in the future of Bahrain’s global connectivity, providing long-term capacity security and flexibility on the long-haul side, and ensuring that the national carrier is well positioned to support the Kingdom’s aviation, economic, and connectivity objectives in the years ahead.

In line with its forward-looking strategy, Gulf Air has also recently concluded an agreement with Starlink to install next-generation satellite connectivity across its fleet, marking a further milestone in delivering state-of-the-art digital connectivity.

This investment underscores the airline’s commitment to enhancing the passenger experience and maintaining global technology standards in support of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s aviation ambitions.

Martin Gauss, Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our 2025 performance reflects the strength of demand for travel to and from the Kingdom of Bahrain and demonstrates our disciplined and responsible approach to network development. While fleet growth during the year was measured, our clear focus was on strengthening connectivity, improving efficiency, and maximising the value of our operations for the Kingdom.

The improvement in load factors, the resilience of our cargo operations, and our continued investments in future fleet and technology clearly demonstrate Gulf Air’s role in supporting Bahrain’s connectivity ambitions. As we look ahead, we remain fully committed to further strengthening the Kingdom’s links with regional and global markets, ensuring that Gulf Air continues to serve as a key enabler of national connectivity and economic development.” -TradeArabia News Service