Gulf Air, the national airline of Bahrain, has announced the return of its seasonal flights to Geneva, Switzerland, and Nice, France, starting in summer 2026. These routes will connect Bahrain International Airport (BAH) to Geneva Airport (GVA) and Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE), enhancing Gulf Air’s European offerings for leisure travelers.

Flights to Nice will kick off on May 24, 2026, and run until September 27, 2026, covering the peak Mediterranean vacation season. Services to Geneva will be available from June 5 to September 11, 2026, catering to travelers seeking both alpine and city escapes in Europe.

Both destinations will be served twice weekly using the fuel-efficient Airbus A321neo. This modern narrow-body aircraft is perfectly suited for medium-haul European flights, ensuring passengers enjoy both comfort and efficiency. Morning arrivals are scheduled to maximize travelers' time at their destinations.

Each of the European flights will include a stopover at Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), providing passengers with easy onward connections to other European destinations. This strategic stopover helps Gulf Air optimize aircraft utilization while maintaining seamless access to secondary markets across Europe.

The resumption of these routes is part of Gulf Air’s ongoing strategy to expand its European network, offering more options for both outbound leisure travelers and those visiting friends and relatives in the Gulf region. The seasonal services provide flexibility, meeting high demand during the summer months without overburdening the airline's year-round capacity.

Bahrain International Airport remains a key hub for Gulf Air, facilitating smooth connections to its global network. By reintroducing these popular routes, Gulf Air continues to cater to the growing demand for summer travel while maintaining operational efficiency.

The Airbus A321neo aircraft being used on these routes reflects Gulf Air’s commitment to fleet modernization. Known for its fuel efficiency and cost-effectiveness, the A321neo helps the airline maintain competitive operating costs while supporting sustainable operations.

Bookings for the 2026 summer services are now open, offering early availability for travelers planning their peak-season trips. This gives passengers the opportunity to secure their flights well in advance.

Gulf Air’s decision to restart flights to Geneva and Nice for the summer of 2026 highlights its focus on catering to seasonal European leisure demand. With twice-weekly services operated by the Airbus A321neo and convenient connections through Milan, Gulf Air is strengthening its position in the European market while maintaining high operational standards.

Riyadh Air and Saudia have announced the implementation of the first phase of their Strategic Cooperation Agreement, marking a major step in strengthening connectivity under Saudi Arabia’s National Aviation Strategy.

The partnership builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2023 and enables the two airlines to expand travel options for domestic and international passengers.

As part of the first phase, Riyadh Air has established a connection with Saudia’s Passenger Service System (PSS), allowing the carriers to implement their codeshare across their respective technology platforms.

Under the RX-SV codeshare, Riyadh Air will place its “RX” designator on selected Saudia-operated flights from Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport to six domestic destinations: Abha, Al Qassim, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina and Tabuk.

The agreement will give Riyadh Air passengers access to additional destinations worldwide through convenient connections in Riyadh. For example, travelers from Dammam can connect via Riyadh to Madrid on a single ticket, while passengers flying from Kuala Lumpur can connect through Riyadh to Medina.

By using Saudia’s frequent services between Riyadh and the six codeshare destinations, Riyadh Air will offer passengers more convenient connections aligned with the arrival and departure schedules of its flights at Riyadh.

Both airlines operate within the King Khalid International Airport Terminal 1-4 complex, enabling passengers to benefit from streamlined connections, single-ticket journeys and through-checked baggage to their final destinations.

The first phase represents a significant step toward deeper cooperation between Saudi Arabia’s two national carriers and supports the Kingdom’s broader ambitions to expand its global aviation network.

Source: aaco.org

SalamAir has announced the establishment of Salalah’s first-ever airline base, marking a major step in the airline’s expansion and strengthening direct international connectivity from Oman’s Dhofar Governorate.

The new Salalah-based operation will initially serve three international destinations: Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Chattogram in Bangladesh and Calicut in India. Bookings opened on August 26, with flights scheduled to begin from the end of October as part of SalamAir’s Winter 2026 schedule.

The base follows SalamAir’s expanded operations during the 2026 Khareef season, when the airline increased capacity on the Muscat-Salalah route to as many as 15 daily flights during peak periods.

The airline also introduced special domestic fares for Omani nationals, with one-way tickets starting from OMR 9.99, supporting affordable travel between Muscat and Salalah.

The new base is expected to extend SalamAir’s role beyond the Khareef season by supporting year-round travel demand among residents and expatriate communities in Dhofar while offering more direct access to key regional and international destinations.

Operations from Salalah will be supported by SalamAir’s Airbus A320neo and A321neo fleet. The airline currently operates 18 aircraft, providing additional flexibility to support growing demand across its network.

During the winter season, SalamAir will also operate charter flights linking Salalah with Astana and Almaty in Kazakhstan, supporting inbound tourism from Central Asia.

The Salalah base forms part of SalamAir’s wider strategy to expand its network from key airports across Oman, develop underserved markets and stimulate new travel demand while supporting the growth of the Sultanate’s aviation and tourism sectors.

Source: ZAWYA