Bahrain has announced a strategic partnership with premium leisure airline beOnd to establish a new aviation hub in the Gulf region. The agreement, signed on Monday, February 16, 2026, marks a significant development in Bahrain’s aviation sector and economic diversification efforts.
The ambitious initiative will see beOnd operate up to 10 aircraft from Bahrain by 2030, connecting the kingdom to key markets across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North America. The airline projects a substantial economic contribution of approximately $1.2 to $1.5 billion to Bahrain’s GDP during its first five years of operations.
Employment generation stands as a cornerstone of this venture, with plans to create over 1,200 direct high-skilled positions and support an additional 6,000 indirect jobs across tourism, hospitality, logistics, and associated service sectors. The project aligns with Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, focusing on job creation for both nationals and foreign workers while stimulating private-sector growth.
beOnd will establish a comprehensive center of excellence featuring structured training programs for pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and ground staff. The airline plans to implement advanced technologies including artificial intelligence across operations, maintenance, revenue management, distribution, and passenger experience enhancement.
CEO Tero Taskila described the Bahrain expansion as “a natural next step in our multi-jurisdictional strategy,” emphasizing the opportunity to “build a premium aviation platform that strengthens connectivity, develops specialized talent, and supports innovation across the travel value chain.”
Dr. Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, expressed enthusiasm for welcoming beOnd aircraft with Bahraini Air Operator Certificate, noting the airline’s valuable addition to the kingdom’s aviation ecosystem.
The announcement reflects the growing luxury aviation market in the Gulf region, where several charter operators increasingly cater to high-net-worth individuals and affluent families. beOnd continues its regional expansion following its December 2025 announcement regarding Air Operator Certificate proceedings in Saudi Arabia.