Connections between Greece and the Gulf have increased noticeably after two carriers—Gulf Air and Aegean Airlines—have launched services between the region and Athens.

Gulf Air restarted services between Bahrain and the Greek capital Monday, after suspending them in March 2012 as the Bahraini carrier sought to curtail heavy losses by cutting underperforming routes.

It announced earlier this year it would return to the Greek capital as the European nation’s economy began to recover from a severe economic depression.

Gulf Air will operate 4X-weekly flights to Athens with an Airbus A320ER in a two-class configuration. Unusually for a single-aisle type, Gulf Air has installed 14 lie-flat seats in the business class cabin. The aircraft also carries up to 96 economy passengers.

Gulf Air’s return to Athens comes just days after Greece’s Aegean Airlines inaugurated an Abu Dhabi route. As the aircraft arrived from Athens, Abu Dhabi Airports COO Ahmad Al Haddabi welcomed the flight “as we look to strengthen our links with major European cities.”

Aegean will also have 4X-weekly round trips, using a two-class, 168-seat Airbus A320.

Aegean announced last year it would begin codesharing with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways.  The Greek carrier will add its A3 code to Etihad’s flights to Bahrain, Kuwait and Johannesburg, together with Australia’s Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. In turn, Etihad will add its EY code to Aegean flights from Athens to 16 destinations in Europe.       

Aegean CEO Dimitris Gerogiannis said: “We have taken the strategic decision to enhance our presence in the wider Gulf area and, through our partnership with Etihad Airways, we are now in a position to offer enhanced connection possibilities and premium services to our clients.”