Gulf Air has started its new service from Bahrain to Tel Aviv.
The twice weekly service takes about 3 hours and is a step in the normalisation of diplomatic and economic ties.
Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport welcomed the aircraft with a classic water cannon salute.
Captain Waleed AlAlawi:
“We are making history by connecting the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Israel with scheduled commercial flights.
I thank all the authorities here in Israel for making this inaugural flight as smooth as possible and for all the assistance offered to celebrate this special flight.”
We welcome our friends in Israel to fly on Gulf Air and visit Bahrain and fly beyond to our extended network.”
Flights between Tel Aviv and Dubai are already in operation. El Al, Israir, Arkia and Fly Dubai are flying the route.
The flights follow the announcement of peace between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Israel and the political, commercial and civil aviation agreements signed last year between the two countries.