Gulf Air, the national airline of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has relaunched its direct flights from Bahrain International Airport to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), highlighting the strong friendship and strategic cooperation between Bahrain and the United States.
This milestone underscores the strong commitment of both countries to deepen their strategic partnership, unlocking new opportunities in commerce, culture, and tourism. It also solidifies Gulf Air’s role as a vital connector between Bahrain and global markets, driving economic growth and enhancing Bahrain’s status as a key international aviation hub.
A reception was held at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York to mark the relaunch, attended by key dignitaries including Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Ambassador to the United States; Ambassador Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, Bahrain’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations; and Sara Ahmed Buhejji, CEO of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority.
The event also included senior members of the Gulf Air delegation and JFK Airport officials, underscoring the significance of the occasion in strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation between Bahrain and the United States.
During the ceremony, Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa delivered a speech underscoring the strategic importance of resuming direct flights between Bahrain and New York, noting that this event represents a significant turning point in strengthening the historic partnership between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States.
In her remarks, Sara Buhejji highlighted that launching this direct route between Manama and New York marks a qualitative leap that reflects Bahrain’s growing stature on the global tourism map and opens broader prospects for strengthening ties with the U.S. market, in line with the goals of the Tourism Strategy 2022–2026.
Gulf Air also marked the launch of its first flight from Bahrain International Airport at a ceremony attended by Khalid Hussein Taqi, Chairman of Gulf Air Group; Elizabeth Litchfield, Deputy Ambassador of the United States to the Kingdom of Bahrain; Hussain Ahmed Shuail, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications for Civil Aviation Affairs; Sara Ahmed Buhejji, CEO of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority; and a number of senior officials from Gulf Air and Bahrain Airport Company.
Gulf Air operates three weekly flights to John F. Kennedy International Airport, offering passengers convenient access to New York and connections to numerous destinations across the Americas. As Gulf Air continues to expand its network, the airline remains committed to providing exceptional service and enhancing connectivity between East and West, further solidifying Bahrain’s position as a vital center for international travel.
