Gulf Air returns to Kuala Lumpur with three weekly flights

KUALA LUMPUR: Gulf Air has returned to Malaysia with three weekly direct flights between Bahrain and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1, marking the start of its direct service between the two cities.

Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) managing director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said Gulf Air's arrival added another connection to KLIA's Middle East network with the airport now served by 10 Middle Eastern airlines.

"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 today.

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

"In the first half of 2026 this year, KLIA handled 31.7 million passengers, including 1.2 million passengers travelling between KLIA and the Middle East. Gulf Air's service adds further capacity and choice to this growing market, while establishing a direct link between Bahrain and Kuala Lumpur."

"We hope that with this, perhaps Gulf Air can increase frequency to Malaysia. And 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 Kuala Lumpur was full, while the airline had scheduled another six flights in conjunction with the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend.

"We came with a full aircraft, so we were sold out on this aircraft. We have another six flights on the occasion."

"We opened our flight now for the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend, another six flights just for the Formula One, which is happening and then we continue," he said.

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

"We take our largest aircraft. We invest here in this route and, of course, we are looking forward to a very successful partnership connecting the Kingdom of Bahrain and Malaysia, but also using the connectivity of both airports."

"We are very excited to be here. Fourteen years ago, last time when Gulf Air served Malaysia, and now we're back," he said.