Gulf Air and Turkish Airlines Expand Codeshare Partnership

In a major move to bolster connectivity between the Middle East and Europe, Gulf Air and Turkish Airlines have officially announced a significant expansion of their codeshare agreement. Confirmed today, December 23, 2025, the enhanced partnership unlocks five new high-demand destinations for passengers travelling from Bahrain through the global hub of Istanbul.

Under the new terms, Gulf Air passengers can now book single-ticket itineraries to Budapest (Hungary), Prague (Czech Republic), Venice (Italy), Vienna (Austria), and Rize (Turkey) via Istanbul Airport (IST).

Connecting Hearts and Borders

The expansion marks a strategic shift for Bahrain’s national carrier, allowing it to offer a wider European footprint without the immediate need for additional long-haul aircraft.

"By leveraging Istanbul Airport as a major connection hub, we are bringing more iconic cities within reach through a single, seamless itinerary," stated Martin Gauss, CEO of Gulf Air. "Our coordinated schedules with Turkish Airlines are designed to deliver smoother connections and a more streamlined travel experience."

Bilal Ekşi, CEO of Turkish Airlines, echoed this sentiment, noting that the collaboration "further enhances Istanbul’s role as a leading global hub" while providing added value through improved connectivity for guests from both regions.

Core Schedule

The foundation of this codeshare relies on the high-frequency "bridge" between Manama and Istanbul. The following table highlights the primary flight operations that facilitate these new onward connections.

*Codeshare flight operated by Turkish Airlines.

Strategic Impact

The addition of Rize (RZV) is particularly noteworthy, as it opens up Turkey's lush Black Sea region to Middle Eastern travellers, who are increasingly seeking nature based and "cool weather" tourism. Meanwhile, the inclusion of Central European capitals like Prague and Vienna caters to the growing demand for historic city-break destinations.

For travellers, this expansion means:

• One-Stop Baggage: Checked bags are transferred automatically in Istanbul to the final destination.
• Unified Loyalty: Aeroplan and Miles&Smiles members may see enhanced reciprocal benefits as the partnership deepens.
• Optimised Layovers: Schedules have been retimed to ensure connection windows in Istanbul are typically between 90 minutes and 3 hours.

As part of the broader "Vision 2030" for Bahraini aviation, this codeshare is expected to drive a significant increase in transfer traffic through Bahrain International Airport, positioning the Kingdom as a key gateway between the East and the West.