MP Calls for New Budget Airline to Fly Routes Beyond Gulf Air

A new low-cost airline, run as a partnership between the government and the private sector, has been proposed in Parliament as a way to fly routes Gulf Air does not serve.

MP Mohammed Al Olaiwi submitted the request, saying the carrier should focus on busy markets where price matters, while keeping its route map separate from the national airline. The aim, he said, is ‘integration between the two carriers rather than overlapping roles’.

‘This proposal would focus on destinations with high population density and price sensitivity, and open new routes different from those served by Gulf Air,’ Al Olaiwi said.

He said cheaper flights leaving Bahrain would attract large numbers of citizens and residents from GCC states and nearby countries, increasing transfer passengers and supporting tourism. ‘This would strengthen Bahrain’s position as a regional hub for travel and tourism, increase transit traffic, and have a positive impact on economic and commercial activity inside the country,’ he said.

Al Olaiwi said the airline would also bring wider economic gains through more visitors, new jobs and more investment linked to aviation and tourism. He said it would raise the share of those sectors in gross domestic product and support goals on diversifying the economy.

He said Bahrain could serve as the airline’s operating base, citing the Kingdom’s location and the extra business it could bring for aviation support firms. He pointed to ground handling, maintenance, catering, logistics support and training as areas likely to see higher demand.

Al Olaiwi said a partnership model would ease pressure on the state budget while bringing in operating and management experience. ‘Adopting a partnership model reflects the state’s direction towards strengthening strategic partnerships, reducing burdens on the public budget, and benefiting from operational and administrative expertise,’ he said, adding that this would help the airline keep going over time.