Emirates celebrated a milestone in its partnership with the Kingdom of Bahrain, marking 25 years of unwavering service. Over the past quarter-century, the airline has continually expanded its operations, fostering vital trade connections and providing Bahraini travellers with seamless access to a vast network of more than 140 destinations worldwide.
To commemorate this achievement, Emirates hosted an exclusive dinner on January 25, 2025, bringing together prominent government officials, VIPs, and key members of the travel trade community. The prestigious event served as a tribute to the airline’s successful operations and long-standing partnership with Bahrain.
A senior Emirates delegation, led by Nabil Sultan, Executive Vice President of Passenger Sales and Country Management, and Reema Al Marzooqi, Area Manager for Bahrain, welcomed HE Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Transportation & Telecommunications, alongside other distinguished government officials, trade partners, and customers. Emirates also honored its longest-serving employees in Bahrain, including Amna Ismaeel Abdulla Ali, Akmal Baig, Naseem Al Shamsi, Emad Al Qadhi, Yasser Kazerooni, Danny Gowda, Khalil Attiya, the Airport Services Manager, and Waheed Abu Alfath Ali, the Cargo Manager, for their invaluable contributions to the airline’s success in the Kingdom.
The airline’s history in Bahrain dates back to January 25, 2000, when its Boeing 777-200 aircraft landed for the first time, launching a crucial route that has since carried over 7.86 million passengers. Today, Emirates offers unmatched connectivity to major leisure, business, and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) destinations, including Manila, London, Kuala Lumpur, Chennai, and Dhaka.
In its commitment to enhancing the passenger experience, Emirates recently introduced the Airbus A350 on two of its three daily flights from Bahrain, offering next-generation features across all cabin classes. Bahrain is one of the first destinations to be served by this state-of-the-art aircraft.
Nabil Sultan expressed his gratitude, stating, “As we celebrate 25 years of flying to Bahrain, we thank our partners and customers for their ongoing support. Bahrain is a key destination in our network, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to support trade and tourism, delivering on our ‘Fly Better’ promise to our passengers.”
Emirates’ operations in Bahrain have evolved significantly over the years, growing from double-daily services with a mixed fleet of Airbus A300, A310, and A330 aircraft to its current schedule of 22 weekly flights with a modern fleet of Airbus A350s and Boeing 777s, offering nearly 7,000 seats each way. The airline has also deployed its iconic A380 on several occasions, accommodating peak travel demand, such as for Bahrain’s National Day and the Bahrain International Airshow.
In addition to passenger services, Emirates SkyCargo has played an integral role in supporting Bahrain’s trade sector, transporting over 146,000 tonnes of cargo in the past five years. Key exports include courier items, automotive parts, and mobile phones, while imports primarily consist of chilled meat, pharmaceuticals, and mail from destinations such as the UAE, India, and Hong Kong. Emirates SkyCargo offers unparalleled flexibility, connecting oversized and irregular items like aircraft engines to its freighter fleet through Road Feeder Service, extending its global reach.
Further strengthening its ties with Bahrain, Emirates signed a codeshare agreement with Gulf Air in 2022, enhancing connectivity and offering travellers access to an expanded network of destinations. In 2023, Emirates also partnered with the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority to help promote Bahrain’s diverse attractions and bolster tourism.
As Emirates looks forward to many more years of collaboration with the Kingdom, its 25th anniversary celebration is a testament to the airline’s commitment to delivering exceptional service and supporting Bahrain’s growth on the global stage.
