Gulf Air returns to KL with 3 weekly flights

KUALA LUMPUR: Gulf Air has returned to Malaysia with direct flights between Bahrain and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1.

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said: "Gulf Air's arrival adds another important connection to KLIA's Middle East network.

"With this service, KLIA is now served by 10 Middle Eastern airlines, giving passengers more options to travel between Malaysia and the region," he said following Gulf Air's inaugural flight to Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Izani said MAHB would work with Gulf Air, as well as its tourism and industry partners, to build demand, strengthen the route and establish a sustainable presence at KLIA.

"In the first half of 2026, KLIA handled 31.7 million passengers, including 1.2 million passengers travelling between KLIA and the Middle East.

"Gulf Air's service adds capacity and gives passengers more choice in this growing market, while establishing a direct link between Bahrain and Kuala Lumpur.

"We hope Gulf Air can increase its frequency to Malaysia. As KLIA becomes a stronger hub, we can provide our airline partners with access to a larger and more connected market."

Gulf Air chief executive officer Martin Gauss said the inaugural flight to KL was full, while the airline had scheduled another six flights for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend.

Gauss added that Gulf Air was deploying one of its Boeing 787 aircraft, its largest aircraft type, on the Kuala Lumpur route to strengthen connectivity between Bahrain and Malaysia.

"We are using our largest aircraft on this route. We are investing in this market and look forward to a successful partnership connecting Bahrain and Malaysia, while also using the connectivity of both airports.

"We are very excited to be here. The last time Gulf Air served Malaysia was 14 years ago, and now we're back."