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Bahrain Airport Hits Record 9.74 Million Passengers in 2025

Bahrain International Airport sees its busiest year yet, driven by Gulf Air’s growth and new global routes.

  • Publish date: Tuesday، 10 February 2026 Reading time: 1 min read
Bahrain Airport Hits Record 9.74 Million Passengers in 2025

Bahrain International Airport (BIA) had its best year ever in 2025, welcoming 9.74 million passengers—up 4.2% from 9.3 million in 2024. The airport’s busiest day was 8 August, reflecting a strong rebound in travel demand.

Record Aircraft Movements

Aircraft activity also surged, with 97,740 movements recorded in 2025, a result of better flight occupancy and efficient runway use. The busiest day for take-offs and landings was 14 April, with peak passenger traffic hitting 21:00.

Fastest-Growing Routes

BIA’s top-growing destinations last year were Singapore, Bengaluru, Najaf, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, signaling strong regional and international demand.

The airport’s global network now spans 74 destinations across six continents via 39 airlines, boosted by Gulf Air’s rapid expansion. The national carrier added a second London service to Gatwick, its first New York JFK route, and new flights to Ashgabat, Liège, Nairobi, and Bucharest.

Gulf Air Drives Growth

Gulf Air’s performance mirrored the airport’s success, posting 18% and 27% passenger growth in October and November 2025, respectively. Acting CEO Ahmed Mohamed Janahi highlighted BIA’s “remarkable operational reliability and connectivity,” thanks to strong partnerships with airlines and airport staff.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Gulf Air’s 2026 plans include resuming seasonal flights to Geneva and Nice, and launching new routes to Málaga, Spain, and Al Alamein, Egypt in June. The airline is also expanding its wide-body fleet, ordering 15 Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliners with options for three more.

These moves tie into Bahrain’s tourism goal of attracting 14.1 million visitors by 2026, positioning the kingdom as a key hub between East and West.

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