By Patrick  Beja

Bahrain’s national carrier, Gulf Air, which re-launched flights to Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in July last year, has suspended its flights to Nairobi indefinitely a month after Virgin Atlantic withdrew from the local  market.

“Gulf Air regrets to announce the suspension of its services between Bahrain and Nairobi with effect from November 13, for commercial reasons,” the airline said in a statement seen by Move It.  “The last flight from Bahrain to Nairobi will be operated on November 12, with return flight into Bahrain on November 13. Gulf Air understands the inconvenience this may cause and apologises to passengers affected by the suspension.”

It said a dedicated customer services team from the Gulf Air World Wide Contact Centre has been set up and is contacting passengers affected in the next seven days to offer alternate options. But it said passengers can obtain a refund. Those holding confirmed tickets for travel will get refunds via the channels they originally booked, such as travel agencies or third-party websites subject to booking conditions.

 And passengers, who have booked tickets but not purchased yet, will have their bookings automatically cancelled. “Passengers who have already commenced their journeys will be offered the pro-rata value of flights for the remainder of their journey or will be re-protected by Gulf Air on another airline. Where a passenger selects to be re-protected, we will contact the passenger to confirm the details of their re-protected flights,” it said.  

Gulf Air said where possible will transfer booking/ticket to an alternative available airline to the same destination in the same class of travel, subject to availability of seats.

Virgin Atlantic withdrew operations between Nairobi and London on  September 24, citing similar reasons.

Also Brussels Airlines cancelling plans to fly to Kenya’s Indian Ocean port city two weeks ago. 1Time from South African also  halted their flights  last month citing  lower demand.