Bahrain airspace reopening leaves 120 flights canceled for June travelers

How the flight disruption unfolded

Bahrain closed its airspace on Feb. 28 after regional strikes and retaliation tied to U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran, then reopened it April 8 on a phased basis. The shutdown rippled through Bahrain International Airport, where cancellations hit routes to Dubai, Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah and Istanbul and Gulf Air said it halted more than 120 flights by mid-March.

Operations are still recovering. Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs told passengers to keep checking airline updates and some routes have resumed while delays continue on select days.

Who felt it most

Expats, digital nomads, tourists and business travelers were the main groups caught in the disruption, especially people using Bahrain as a connection point to Europe, Asia or Africa. Travelers on Gulf Air, Emirates, flydubai and Qatar Airways saw the biggest impact on Bahrain-linked routes.

British Airways also suspended Bahrain flights through May 31, though it added extra service via Muscat on some itineraries. Regional flight boards still showed delays and cancellations in early May, so the strain didn’t end with the reopening.

What travelers should do now

Passengers with affected bookings can usually choose a free rebooking or a refund, depending on the airline. Gulf Air said ticket changes for disrupted travel can be made up to June 30, with processing taking up to 28 days. It also said travelers facing overnight delays should contact the airline directly about vouchers or hotel help.

Before heading to the airport, check airline apps, the carrier website and flight trackers such as FlightAware. Bahrain International Airport is requiring confirmed bookings for entry and travel insurance can help cover extra costs tied to delays or cancellations. For broader updates, follow our visa updates page and read our full Bahrain guide for the complete picture.