Airline profile · Middle East

Gulf Air

BahrainFull-service carrierSince 1950

GFIATA code

GFAICAO code

Gulf Air is the national airline of the Kingdom of Bahrain, a full-service carrier founded in 1950 and based at Bahrain International Airport. In 2024 it served 60 airports in 31 countries, according to schedule data published by AACO. Gulf Air is not in a global alliance; its loyalty programme is Falconflyer and its owner is Gulf Air Group.

Founded: 1950
Headquarters: Bahrain
Country: Bahrain
Main hubs: Bahrain International Airport (BAH)
Airline type: Full-service carrier
Alliance: None
Loyalty: Falconflyer
Parent: Gulf Air Group Holding
Ownership: State-owned (public sector); Gulf Air Group, set up in 2010 to consolidate the aviation holdings of Bahrain's sovereign fund Mumtalakat, is its sole shareholder.
Callsign: GULF AIR
Website: gulfair.com

How travel agents book Gulf Air

NDC

Gulf Air has an NDC API. In September 2024 it announced that the API was being integrated with the booking platform of Saudi travel company Almatar, which the airline described as opening new digital distribution routes for its products.

Notes for travel agents

Gulf Air publishes an Agent Debit Memo (ADM) policy for travel agencies on its website, so agencies should check its ticketing rules before issuing or reissuing tickets.

On ReservationHub

ReservationHub gives agencies GDS content from Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport plus NDC and low-cost channels in one platform. See the full list on our integrations page.

History of Gulf Air

Gulf Air traces its origins to 1950. It joined the Arab Air Carriers Organization in 1971 and has served for more than seven decades as a link between Bahrain and Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Gulf Air was once backed by more than one Gulf government. Abu Dhabi withdrew in 2005 to concentrate on its own airline, Etihad Airways, and today the airline's sole shareholder is Bahrain's Gulf Air Group.

In 2010 Bahrain created Gulf Air Group to consolidate the aviation holdings of Mumtalakat, the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund. The group is the sole shareholder of Gulf Air and also oversees Bahrain Airport Company and Gulf Aviation Academy.

Gulf Air has since rebuilt its fleet around the Airbus A320neo family and the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. In September 2024 it agreed to connect its NDC API to the booking platform of Saudi travel company Almatar, and in July 2026 it signed a letter of intent for JetZero Z4 aircraft, with delivery slots in the early 2030s.

Milestones

1950Gulf Air's founding company is established in Bahrain.
1971Joins the Arab Air Carriers Organization (AACO).
2005Abu Dhabi withdraws from Gulf Air to focus on Etihad Airways.
2010Gulf Air Group is formed to consolidate Mumtalakat's aviation holdings.
2024Partners with Almatar, integrating Gulf Air's NDC API into Almatar's booking platform.
2026Signs letter of intent for JetZero Z4 aircraft; continues A320neo deliveries.

Fleet

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner Airbus A320 Airbus A320neo Airbus A321 Airbus A321neo

Aircraft types in service as of 2026

Gulf Air's fleet page lists the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, used on long-haul routes with up to 280 seats, alongside Airbus A320, A320neo, A321 and A321neo narrowbodies. Fleet data published by AACO for January 2026 counts 45 aircraft: 11 787s, 8 A320s, 8 A320neos, 4 A321s and 14 A321neos. A further A320neo was delivered in May 2026.

Network and hubs

Gulf Air runs a hub network from Bahrain International Airport (BAH), connecting the Gulf with Europe, the Indian subcontinent, Africa and East Asia. Schedule data for 2024 published by AACO shows about 142 average daily departures to 60 airports in 31 countries.

Bahrain stopover packages are part of the airline's offer, and Falconflyer members earn miles with partner airlines and other partners. Gulf Air has codeshare agreements with other carriers to extend its reach beyond its own routes.

Gulf Air: frequently asked questions

What are Gulf Air's IATA and ICAO codes?

Gulf Air uses the IATA airline code GF and the ICAO designator GFA, with the radio callsign GULF AIR. IATA's code directory lists the operating company as Gulf Air B.S.C. (c), registered in Bahrain. Booking systems show Gulf Air flights under the GF code.

Where is Gulf Air's hub?

Gulf Air operates from Bahrain International Airport (BAH), the kingdom's international airport. Most of its network connects through Bahrain, where it also offers stopover packages. In 2024 it served 60 airports in 31 countries, according to schedule data published by AACO.

Is Gulf Air in an airline alliance?

No. Gulf Air is not a member of Star Alliance, oneworld or SkyTeam. It works with other airlines through bilateral codeshare and interline agreements, and runs its own frequent flyer programme, Falconflyer, in which members can earn and spend miles with partner airlines.

Does Gulf Air use NDC?

Yes, Gulf Air has an NDC API. In September 2024 it signed a deal with Saudi travel company Almatar to integrate that API into Almatar's booking platform, so Almatar can sell Gulf Air products through NDC. Wider NDC availability in individual GDSs was not verified at the time of writing.

Who owns Gulf Air?

Gulf Air is state-owned. Its sole shareholder is Gulf Air Group, which Bahrain set up in 2010 to consolidate the aviation holdings of Mumtalakat, the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund. The group also oversees Bahrain Airport Company and Gulf Aviation Academy.

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Sources

Profile updated 4 November 2026 by the ReservationHub team. Airline details change: confirm schedules, fares and policies with the airline before booking. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.