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# BAHRAIN: Gulf Air Looks to Bolster Indian Network, Eyes Partnerships
- URL: https://insideaviation.news/bahrain-gulf-air-looks-to-bolster-indian-network-eyes-partnerships/
- Published: 2026-11-04T08:25:48.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-04T08:25:48.000Z
- Description: MUHARRAQ, Bahrain: Gulf Air is looking to expand its India network by increasing frequencies and adding new destinations as demand grows, CEO Martin Gauss said.
- Author: Inside Aviation News
- Tags: Bahrain, Gulf Air, India, Partnerships

MUHARRAQ, Bahrain

- Gulf Air is looking to expand its India network by increasing frequencies and adding new destinations as demand grows, CEO Martin Gauss said.
- The carrier currently serves eight Indian cities from Bahrain International Airport (BAH/OBBI):
  - Delhi (DEL/VIDP)
  - Mumbai (BOM/VABB)
  - Bengaluru (BLR/VOBL)
  - Chennai (MAA/VOMM)
  - Hyderabad (HYD/VOHS)
  - Goa (GOI/VOGO)
  - Kochi (COK/VOCI)
  - Thiruvananthapuram (TRV/VOTV)
- It views the Indian subcontinent as one of its most important markets for both origin-destination and connecting traffic.
- Gauss said the largest share of Gulf Air’s passengers already comes from the Indian subcontinent many of whom use the Bahrain hub for onward connections to Europe, New York (JFK) and Shanghai (PVG).
- He cited Bahrain’s short connection times (maximum 40 minutes) as an advantage for Indian subcontinent traffic.
- Gulf Air is open to expanding partnerships with Indian carriers. It currently has 19 codeshare partners and more than 80 interline partners covering around 550 destinations. The carrier is not part of any world-wide alliance.
- After a 40-day airspace closure earlier in the year, the airline restored its full network within six weeks of reopening. Since June–July it has operated 100% of its schedule with load factors around 85% and stronger forward bookings than a year earlier.
- Gauss said fuel costs are significantly higher but fares have not risen at the same pace. He expects fares to stabilise or ease if fuel prices fall.
- He reported no current difficulties with Indian airport slots or relations with Indian authorities.

Sources:

- [The New Indian Express](https://www.newindianexpress.com/business/2026/Nov/03/gulf-air-looking-to-expand-india-network-explore-more-airline-partnerships-ceomartin-gauss?ref=insideaviation.news)