Gulf Air is preparing for a potential entry into the U.S. market, with plans to launch services as early as mid-2025, according to Gulf Air Group CEO Jeffrey Goh.
The move is part of the airline’s broader strategy to expand its network while enhancing operational synergies within the group, which includes Bahrain International Airport (BAH).
“We are seeing the light shining through the tunnel,” Goh tells Aviation Week, referring to the progress the Bahrain Civil Aviation Authority has made with the U.S. FAA following a safety review of Bahrain’s civil aviation oversight. “If all goes well, we may be looking at a mid-2025 launch, pending aircraft availability.”
Goh adds that while specific U.S. destinations have not yet been publicly announced, Gulf Air is evaluating several key markets, with New York believed to be a likely target. The carrier previously offered flights to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport from July 1994 to February 1997, but the U.S. has remained absent from the airline’s network ever since.
Various routes to the U.S. city were offered during that time, including nonstop flights from Bahrain, as well as one-stop options via Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Doha in Qatar and Larnaca in Cyprus.
This planned expansion is complemented by Gulf Air’s ongoing network recalibration, which aims to balance the airline’s traditional focus on transfer traffic with a growing emphasis on inbound tourism. “Our network is being adjusted to support Bahrain’s national tourism strategy,” Goh says. “This includes increasing connectivity to strategic markets in China, Europe and potentially Africa.”
Goh says an advantage in Gulf Air’s expansion strategy is the operational synergy between the airline and BAH, both of which are under the Gulf Air Group umbrella. “Having the airline and the airport within the same group allows us to extract multiple layers of synergies, from capital investments to operational seamlessness,” Goh says. “Business gets done much more easily when the two key stakeholders in aviation are aligned.”
Gulf Air’s recent investments in fleet modernization are also set to bolster its expansion plans. The airline expects the delivery of 10 Airbus A320-family aircraft and two Boeing 787-9s by 2027—although global supply chain challenges have prompted a cautious approach. “We are revising our fleet requirements in line with our network recalibration,” Goh says.
Despite the challenges, Goh remains optimistic about Gulf Air’s growth prospects. “We are well positioned to capture a significant share of the global aviation market, even with the intense competition in the region,” he says. “Our focus on connectivity, coupled with a commitment to customer service excellence, will continue to drive our success.”
As Gulf Air gears up for its potential U.S. debut, the airline is also preparing to welcome industry leaders to Bahrain for Routes World 2024. “This is a chance for us to demonstrate Bahrain’s capabilities and opportunities for connectivity,” Goh adds.
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