British Airways Backtracks On Plans To End Bahrain Route

LONDON—British Airways (BA) has scrapped plans to cancel its longstanding route between London and Bahrain.

The airline announced earlier this month that flights from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Bahrain and Kuwait would be suspended at the end of the current winter 2024-25 season, citing continuing problems with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines that power its Boeing 787 fleet which require it to redeploy aircraft and make network adjustments.

However, the Oneworld alliance member has backtracked on the proposals to end service to Bahrain International Airport (BAH) from March 29, 2025, following discussions with “partners and stakeholders.” Service will instead be maintained next summer and beyond.

“We can confirm we will operate a service between London Heathrow and Bahrain International Airport three times a week from the start of the summer 2025 season,” a spokesperson from BA said. “This will increase to a daily service from the start of the winter 2025 season.”

BA currently flies daily between LHR and Bahrain using 777 equipment, according to OAG Schedules Analyser data. Gulf Air also operates the 3,163-mi. (2,749-nm) route twice a day using 787-9s

Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), which operates BAH, welcomed BA’s decision, saying it reinforces “a partnership that spanned for over 90 years of distinguished aviation history.”

“The London-Bahrain route has long been a cornerstone of connectivity between the UK and Bahrain, fostering deep bonds of friendship, economic exchange, and cultural enrichment,” a statement said. “This route, which marked British Airways’ Concorde maiden voyage in 1976, has been a vital bridge for businesses, tourists, students, and families alike.”

BAC added that the continuation of the route “underscores the enduring strength of the bilateral relationship between the two nations.”

While British Airways plans to maintain its Bahrain flights, the suspension of service to Kuwait looks set to remain in place. As previously reported, the carrier is also temporarily halting its daily operations between LHR and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport for the summer 2025 season, as well as cutting some flights to Miami.

Other network adjustments due to Trent 1000 engine issues include reduced capacity on flights to Doha, a delayed launch of the new Kuala Lumpur service, and the suspension of flights between London Gatwick and New York John F. Kennedy from Dec. 12 to March 25, 2025.