Gulf Air extends Iran, Iraq flights ban

Thursday, 12 January 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, has extended the suspension of flights to Iran for another two months.

The resumption of services to Iraq has also been pushed back until January 31 amid concerns about regional security.

Flights to both countries had been due to restart yesterday (January 10).

“Gulf Air regrets to announce the further temporary suspension of its flights to and from all destinations in Iraq and Iran,” said an airline statement. “The decision has been taken following the ongoing security situation in the region.”

Flights to Iran and Iraq, which are popular routes for thousands of pilgrims, have been suspended since March last year.

Bahrain Air also suspended flights to and from Iran, Iraq and Lebanon last March, but later resumed services to Beirut in June.

The ban followed a government advisory urging Bahrainis against visiting these destinations, based on claims that Iran and Lebanese outlawed group Hizbollah were involved in Bahrain’s unrest.

Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer Samer Majali told MPs during a parliament session last month that the suspension of flights to Iran and Iraq had derailed its recovery plan coupled with regional political turmoil.

He said the airline’s absence was profitable for regional competitors operating flights to those destinations. Gulf Air previously operated flights to Baghdad, Najaf, Erbil and Basra in Iraq, as well as Tehran, Mashad, Esfahan and Shiraz in Iran.Passengers holding confirmed tickets to Iran and Iraq for travel during the suspended dates can rebook on a later flight free of charge. The airline also pledged to transfer tickets to alternative airlines where possible or give a full refund.