AirAsia delays opening of Bahrain base

Malaysian low-cost airline AirAsia has pushed back the launch of its Middle East base in Bahrain because of the US-Israeli war with Iran.

Operations are now likely to start in August or September, subject to market conditions, the airline said in a statement.

The route connecting Kuala Lumpur to Bahrain and onward to London’s Gatwick airport was scheduled to start in June.

AirAsia remains committed to opening a hub in Bahrain, its general manager Benyamin Ismail said, adding that Bahrain continues to play an important role in its growth plans and regional connectivity strategy.

Bahrain International Airport in the capital Manama reopened on April 8 having been closed to customers since the Iran war started on February 28.

Iranian drone strikes on the airport forced Bahraini flag carrier Gulf Air to cancel more than 98 percent of its schedule in March, prompting it to temporarily relocate operations to nearby Dammam in Saudi Arabia.

In November AirAsia signed a provisional agreement with Bahrain to establish a Middle East base in the country.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund invested about $100 million in the airline in March. The carrier aims to increase its fleet from 255 to 600 planes over the next decade and expand its route network from 143 to 175 destinations.

AirAsia carried 19 million passengers, up 9 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2026, with an 85 percent load factor. The airline reported a net loss of RM129 million ($32 million), driven by a forex loss of RM232 million.

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