Formula 1 fans to benefit from first ever Gulf Air service between London Gatwick and Bahrain
- Gulf Air’s new route between London Gatwick and Bahrain International Airport began on Sunday
- The service will operate three times per week from London Gatwick’s North Terminal
- London Gatwick will have 122 flights per week to the Middle East and Asia at the summer peak
Formula 1 fans across London and the South East will benefit from a new direct route between London Gatwick and Bahrain, just in time for next month’s Grand Prix.
The new service, operated by Gulf Air, began on Sunday 30 March and will fly to the Arabian Gulf island three times per week from London Gatwick’s North Terminal, using Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
More than 100,000 fans are expected to attend the Bahrain International Circuit across the race weekend of 11-13 April, with many travelling from the UK to support British drivers Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.
The Gulf Air service is the first to ever operate between London Gatwick and Bahrain and is the latest in a series of new routes connecting the airport with Asia in the Middle East, and onward connections to Australia.
Stephanie Wear, VP Aviation Development, London Gatwick said: “We are delighted to welcome Gulf Air to London Gatwick, and offer passengers an excellent new service and greater connectivity to the Middle East.
“Gulf Air is one of a number of long-haul carriers adding routes from London Gatwick, which is testament to the fantastic service we are able to provide our airline partners and their passengers. Through continued investment in infrastructure and facilities, we look forward to providing passengers with even greater choice and competition this summer and beyond.”
Hanadi AlAali, Chief Customer Experience Officer, Gulf Air said: “This new route to London Gatwick is a significant step in Gulf Air’s wider vision to expand the carrier’s network while fostering stronger bilateral relations between Bahrain and the UK.
“As one of the UK’s busiest airports and a key gateway to London and the south of England, London Gatwick offers strategic access to both business and leisure travellers. This expansion allows Gulf Air to cater to a broader customer base, enhance connectivity, and provide seamless travel options.”
With 43 million annual passengers, London Gatwick is the UK’s second largest and one of Europe’s top ten airports. It is a vital piece of national infrastructure that drives both the national and regional economies by generating £5.5 billion GVA and supporting over 76,000 jobs (2023). Almost 60 airlines fly from the airport to over 150 short-haul and more than 50 long-haul destinations. With a declared capacity of 55 movements an hour, London Gatwick is the most efficient single runway airport in the world.
The airport is located 28 miles south of the UK capital and is extremely well-connected, with more than a quarter of England’s population (15 million people) – including all of London – less than one hour away by road or rail. A six-year, £2 billion sustainable growth programme includes an ambitious plan to be a net zero airport by 2030 and to increase capacity by bringing the airport’s existing Northern Runway into routine use, alongside its Main Runway. Vinci Airports owns a 50.01% stake in the airport, with Global Infrastructure Partners managing the remaining 49.99%.
VINCI Airports, as the leading private airport operator in the world, manages the development and operation of more than 70 airports located in 14 countries. VINCI Airports draws on its expertise as a comprehensive integrator to develop, finance, build and operate airports, leveraging its investment capability and know-how to optimise operational performance and modernise infrastructure while bringing about their environmental transition. In 2016, VINCI Airports became the first airport operator to commit to an international environmental strategy, setting itself the aim of reaching zero net emissions (scope 1 and 2) across the network by 2050 while supporting the territories’ local climate transition.
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Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a part of BlackRock, is a leading infrastructure investor that specializes in investing in, owning and operating some of the largest and most complex assets across the energy, transport, digital infrastructure and water and waste management sectors.
GIP has approximately $170 billion in assets under management. GIP believes that its focus on real infrastructure assets, combined with its deep proprietary origination network and comprehensive operational expertise, enables it to be responsible stewards of investor capital and to create positive economic impact for communities.
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London, UK, 31 March 2025
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