What is the National Airline of Bahrain?
Gulf Air is the flag carrier of Bahrain.
Gulf Air is headquartered in Muharraq, the third largest city in the country. The hub of the airline is located at the Bahrain International Airport. Currently, Gulf Air flies to 41 destinations in 28 countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa. With a fleet size of 28 planes, Gulf Air operates state-of-the-art aircraft such as Airbus A320-200, Airbus A320neo, Airbus A321-200, Airbus A321neo, Airbus A330-200, Boeing 787–9, and Bombardier CS100. Its fleet comprises both narrow and wide-body aircrafts.
Gulf Air sponsors a number of events. Among these, the Bahrain Grand Prix is the most popular and prestigious and held in the month of March or April. Gulf Air also sponsors the Bahrain International Airshow, which is a biennial event. In 1983 and 1984, the airline was the shirt sponsor of Chelsea F.C. in the UK. Between the years 2008 and 2011, Gulf Air was the shirt sponsor of Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Gulf Air, which was founded as Gulf Aviation in 1950, is among the oldest airlines in the Middle East. In 1951, the British Overseas Airways Corporation became a shareholder in the company. After the signing of the Foundation Treaty in 1974 between Qatar, Oman, Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain, the name of the airlines was changed to Gulf Air, and it became the flag carrier of all these four countries. In 2002, Qatar stated its intention to withdraw from the airlines and in 2005, Abu Dhabi also withdrew. With the withdrawal of Oman in 2007, Bahrain became the sole owner of Gulf Air.
Today, Gulf Air is under the control of the government of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
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