Manama: Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has expanded its codeshare agreement with Turkish Airlines, the national flag carrier of Trkiye, unlocking new routes to Europe via Istanbul and giving passengers access to additional destinations across Europe and Trkiye through Istanbul Airport (IST).
According to Bahrain News Agency, under the expanded codeshare agreement, Gulf Air passengers can now connect via Istanbul to Budapest, Hungary (BUD); Prague, Czech Republic (PRG); Venice, Italy (VCE); Vienna, Austria (VIE); and Rize, Trkiye (RZV). This offers a broader selection of routes and greater flexibility when planning their journeys. For Turkish Airlines, the expanded codeshare agreement will further increase connectivity to the global carrier's existing routes.
Martin Gauss, Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer, emphasized that by expanding the codeshare with Turkish Airlines, passengers are provided with access to more destinations across Europe and Trkiye via Istanbul, with greater choice and flexibility when planning their journeys. Leveraging Istanbul Airport as a major connection hub allows for bringing more cities within reach through a single, seamless itinerary in partnership with Turkish Airlines. Coordinated schedules are designed to deliver smoother connections and a more streamlined travel experience for customers across these shared routes.
On the expanded cooperation, Bilal Eksi, Turkish Airlines CEO, expressed satisfaction in deepening the cooperation with Gulf Air through this codeshare expansion, continuing to enhance Istanbul's role as a leading global hub. The expanded collaboration is believed to provide added value for guests through improved connectivity.
The expanded codeshare keeps Bahrain at the heart of Gulf Air's network while opening more options for travel to Europe and Trkiye. Whether traveling for business or leisure, passengers can benefit from a wider range of itineraries and a seamless journey across the shared routes, reinforcing Bahrain's position as a key gateway between the Middle East, Europe, and beyond.