Gulf Air will be the first mainline carrier to use the new Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central (DWC) when it opens for passenger services in October.

Cargo and GA services have been using the new airport for some time, but its passenger terminal is only due to open Oct. 27. 

Bahrain-based Gulf Air will start services there Dec. 8 following the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the new airport’s authorities. The airline operates 51 flights a week into the existing Dubai International Airport, but has decided to institute a daily evening service between the new facility and its hub at Muharraq.

“We’re doing it because we believe it’s a viable alternative,” a Gulf Air spokeswoman said. The new airport is close to several of Dubai’s new residential, business and leisure districts. Its location will remove the need for passengers to transit Dubai city, where traffic jams can be extensive.

Gulf Air’s acting CEO Maher Salman Al Musallam said, “We are delighted to be the first full service carrier operating to Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central.” The evening flight to Bahrain will be timed to connect with Gulf Air’s long-haul flights, particularly to Europe.

Gulf Air will be operating a new two-class Airbus A320ER aircraft on its service to DWC. However, it said the prospect of moving other services from Dubai International to the new airport “is not something we’re looking at.”