Gulf Air resumes Kuala Lumpur service with 787-9

Gulf Air has resumed flights between Bahrain and Kuala Lumpur, with the first service operating on September 30.

The airline has deployed its Boeing 787-9 on the route, with flight GF158 departing Bahrain at 11:20 p.m. local time and arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 11:50 a.m. the following day, with a flight time of around seven and a half hours. The return flight, GF159, departs Kuala Lumpur at 8:00 p.m. and arrives in Bahrain at 10:40 p.m. local time.

The Boeing 787-9 will fly the route up to five times a week until October 7, with the frequency then reduced to three weekly services. The additional capacity comes ahead of the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang, which will take place from October 2 to 4. The new service adds capacity for international travellers and motorsport fans travelling to the event.

Gulf Air’s return to Kuala Lumpur is expected to add international flight capacity as Malaysia’s air passenger traffic is forecast to reach up to 109.7 million this year, according to Malaysia’s Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah.

“The return of Gulf Air provides timely capacity to help us meet these traffic projections and accommodate the growing demand from international travellers,” the minister said.

The direct new service by the carrier also gives travellers from Bahrain and the wider Middle East access to Kuala Lumpur, along with onward connections to domestic destinations including Langkawi, Penang, Sabah and Sarawak.

With the new route, Gulf Air becomes the 10th Middle Eastern carrier at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), adding to the growing air connectivity between Malaysia and the Gulf region.

“Adding Kuala Lumpur as a permanent destination further strengthens our network and supports year-round connectivity between Bahrain, Malaysia, and beyond,” said Martin Gauss, Chief Executive of Gulf Air.

The airline has opened bookings for the new service through its website and mobile app.