Gulf Air resumes flights to Saudi Arabia

The national airline of Bahrain is now flying to 13 countries around the world

Gulf Air resumed flights to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on September 27. The national airline of Bahrain is now flying to 13 countries. Unsplash

Gulf Air has resumed flights to Saudi Arabia.

The national airline of Bahrain has started flying to Saudi Arabia, with services resuming on September 27 to Jeddah. The airline said other destinations across Saudi Arabia will be scheduled soon.

Flights into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are currently only for Saudi and GCC citizens, or non-GGC citizens with an official government invitation. No travellers from India, Brazil and Argentina can fly to Saudi Arabia and all passengers must have a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of their arrival into Jeddah.

The airline also resumed flights to Bangladesh on September 26.

Gulf Air is now flying twice per week to Dhaka, with flights operating on Saturdays and Mondays.

These are the latest destinations to be added to Gulf Air's network as the airline gradually resumes flights during the global pandemic. Earlier in September, it also began flying to several destinations in India including Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode.

The addition of Jeddah means that the airline is now operating to nearly 40 per cent of its original network, and flying to cities in 13 countries across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Where can I fly to with Gulf Air? 

Gulf Air is flying to Dubai and to Abu Dhabi in the UAE.

United Arab Emirates

Gulf Air is operating daily flights to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. All travellers over the age of 12 need a negative PCR test before flying to the UAE and further PCR tests may be conducted upon arrival. Travellers must also download the Covid-19 DXB or the Alhosn app.

Jordan

Travellers can fly to Amman with Gulf Air with two flights operating each week. All travellers must complete an online declaration form before checking-in and negative PCR test results for all passengers are required, other than for those under five. Non-Jordanian nationals must hold valid health insurance with Covid-19 coverage and passengers arriving in Jordan must also undergo PCR testing, coupled with home or hotel isolation for seven days.

France

Gulf Air is operating two flights per week to Paris. The airline is operating out of Terminal 2C at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Travellers must have a negative PCR test carried out within 72 hours prior to arrival in France; children below 11 are exempt.

Germany

Flights from Bahrain to Frankfurt operate three times per week. The airline is operating out of Terminal 1 at Frankfurt am Main Airport. A negative PCR test report is required prior to arrival in Germany

Philippines

Flights to Manila are operating twice per week from Bahrain. Passengers are required to board wearing both a face mask and a face shield due to local safety measures in place across the Philippines. All passengers may be subject to PCR testing upon arrival in Manila.

Pakistan

Gulf Air is operating to Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Islamabad. International air passengers travelling to Pakistan will be subject to thermal screening on arrival. Travellers must also submit a health declaration form and may be tested for Covid-19 upon arrival.

Egypt

Gulf Air is operating to Cairo. Travellers must complete health declaration forms before boarding the aircraft, and a negative PCR test for all passengers over six years of age is required upon arrival.

Greece

Gulf Air has resumed flights to Athens, Greece.

Passengers travelling to Athens with Gulf Air may be subject to PCR testing upon arrival. Before flying, all travellers must submit a Passenger Locator Form at least 24 hours before landing in Greece. There are fines in place for travellers who do not do so in the required time.

Kuwait

A negative PCR test is required for travellers flying from Bahrain to Kuwait, but transit passengers are exempt from this. Travellers staying in Kuwait must self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival and should install the Shlonik app.

United Kingdom

Gulf Air is flying to London Heathrow airport in the UK. Unsplash

Gulf Air is operating five times per week to London. The airline is operating out of Terminal 2 at London Heathrow Airport and travellers flying to the UK must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

India

Gulf Air is flying to Mumbai, Delhi, Kochi, Bengaluru, Calicut, Chennai, Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram. All passengers flying to India are required to complete a health declaration form at least 72 hours before departure and must download the Aarogya Setu app. Some states have additional requirements for travel and passengers should check the travel advice of the destination they plan to fly to.

Bangladesh

Gulf Air resumed flights to Dhaka in Bangladesh on September 26. Unsplash

Gulf Air resumed flights to Dhaka on September 26 and passengers travelling on the service must complete health declaration forms to be allowed to fly. Bangladeshi citizens can fly home without a negative PCR test but will have to undergo 14 days of institutional quarantine. Those with a negative PCR test can complete the self-isolation period at home. Non-Bangladeshi travellers flying to the country must hold a valid visa and negative PCR test conducted 72 hours prior to travel. Children under the age of 10 are exempt from testing.

Saudi Arabia

Inbound flights to Saudi Arabia are currrenlty only available for nationals and those with special permission. All passengers must register their details on the Tawakkalna mobile app prior to arrival. Flights departing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are currently only for GCC citizens or those holding valid exit, entry, visit and residence visas.