Bahrain Air Considers Combining With Gulf Air, Al-Watan Reports

Bahrain Air, the Persian Gulf country’s first privately owned airline, is “seriously” considering a merger with local competitor Gulf Air, al-Watan reported, citing Managing Director Ibrahim Al-Hamer.

Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer Samer Majali said at a press conference last week that a merger between the two airlines is possible as the country can’t afford the existence of both carriers, the daily newspaper said.

Bahrain Air will need to buy aircraft to meet contract terms of operating a 12-plane fleet should it win a license to operate in Saudi Arabia, al-Watan cited Alhamer as saying.

Bahrain Air and Gulf Air, which are both based in Manama, were among seven airlines shortlisted last month to bid for a license to offer domestic routes in the neighboring kingdom. Calls to Bahrain Air and Gulf Air’s press offices weren’t answered after the close of business hours.

To contact the reporter on this story: Wael Mahdi in Manama at wmahdi@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Maher Chmaytelli at mchmaytelli@bloomberg.net