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1,200 jobs in GCC: New premium airline announced in Bahrain
beOnd signs a deal with Bahrain to establish a premium airline and a centre of excellence, contributing up to $1.5 billion to the Kingdom's economy
- PUBLISHED: Mon 16 Feb 2026, 8:15 AM
A new premium airline is planned to be launched in Bahrain, creating 1,200 jobs, officials announced on Monday.
beOnd, a premium leisure airline, has signed a deal with Bahrain to explore the launch of an airline in the Gulf country, connecting Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America.
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It plans to operate and base up to 10 aircraft in Bahrain by 2030, serving leisure and business markets. Over its first five years of operations in Bahrain, the airline projects a contribution of approximately $1.2 to 1.5 billion to Bahrain’s GDP. The initiative is expected to create more than 1,200 direct high-skilled jobs and support over 6,000 indirect roles across tourism, hospitality, logistics and associated services.
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In line with the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, the agreement will support job creation for nationals and foreign workers, economic diversification, and private-sector growth.
The airline plans to build structured training programmes for pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and ground staff, positioning Bahrain as a hub for advanced aviation skills with simulators and maintenance facilities. The airline will also deploy AI across operations, maintenance, revenue management, distribution, and passenger experience.
Luxury aviation travel is growing rapidly in the UAE and the wider Gulf region, with a number of charter flight operators in the region catering to high-net-worth individuals and affluent families.
In December 2025, beOnd announced that it had begun the process to launch an airline and receive an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“Establishing a Bahrain-based airline is a natural next step in our multi-jurisdictional strategy. Together, we have the opportunity to build a premium aviation platform that strengthens connectivity, develops specialised talent, and supports innovation across the travel value chain,” said Tero Taskila, CEO of beOnd.
“We look forward to having beOnd aircraft with a Bahraini AOC. It's a pleasure to have beOnd as part of the aviation ecosystem and the Kingdom of Bahrain,” said Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s minister of transportation and telecommunications.
Going forward, beOnd plans to grow its fleet and establish new operating bases as it continues to scale its premium leisure offering globally, anchored in simplicity, thoughtful design, and elevated service.
