Gulf Air (GF), the national airline of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has confirmed it will resume seasonal flights to Geneva Airport (GVA), Switzerland, and Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE), France, for the Summer 2026 schedule. The routes will operate with a technical stop in Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), returning the carrier’s European network to two of its most sought‑after leisure and business destinations. The Nice services will commence on 24 May 2026, and Geneva operations will launch on 5 June 2026, both continuing through late September of that year.
Each destination will be served twice weekly with Airbus A321neo aircraft, offering Gulf Air customers modern cabin comfort and reliable schedules tailored to peak summer demand. The airline’s CEO said the reinstated services align with broader network enhancement goals and reflect the sustained appeal of Switzerland and France as tourism magnets for Gulf region travelers.
Gulf Air overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full legal name | Gulf Air |
| IATA Code | GF |
| ICAO Code | GFA |
| Callsign | GULF AIR |
| Founded | 24 March 1950 |
| Headquarters | Muharraq, Kingdom of Bahrain |
| Main hub | Bahrain International Airport (BAH), Bahrain |
| Fleet size | ~45 aircraft (narrowbody + widebody) |
| Destinations | ~65 globally |
| Frequent‑flyer program | Falconflyer |
| Parent | Gulf Air Holding B.S.C |
| Official Site | gulfair.com |
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Route Details: Geneva and Nice summer 2026
Gulf Air’s reinstated seasonal flights are structured around established summer leisure peaks and align with historical patterns of demand from Gulf and European markets. Route summaries:
| Route | Days of Operation | Departure Time (Local) | Arrival Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bahrain → Milan → Nice | Thursday, Sunday | 01:40 AM | (arrival in Nice via Milan) |
| Nice → Milan → Bahrain | Thursday, Sunday | 09:50 AM | (arrival in Bahrain via Milan) |
| Bahrain → Milan → Geneva | Tuesday, Friday | 01:40 AM | (arrival in Geneva via Milan) |
| Geneva → Milan → Bahrain | Tuesday, Friday | 09:40 AM | (arrival in Bahrain via Milan) |
Both routes leverage a stopover at Milan Malpensa International Airport (MXP), expanding Gulf Air’s reach by combining point‑to‑point demand with enhanced onward network connectivity across Europe. Martin Gauss, CEO of Gulf Air,
“Europe continues to be a preferred summer travel destination for passengers from Bahrain and the wider region. With the return of Geneva and Nice, Gulf Air can offer customers convenient schedules, reliable service, and access to two popular destinations..”
Here’s the specificatons of the A321neo that will be used by Gulf Air on this route:
Airbus A321neo Aircraft Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Seating | |
| Maximum seating (pax) | 244 seats |
| Typical seating (2-class) | 180–220 seats |
| Cargo | |
| Underfloor cargo LD3 capacity | 10 LD3-45W |
| Underfloor max pallet capacity | 10 pallets |
| Water volume | 59 m³ |
| Performance | |
| Range | 7,400 km |
| Maximum operating Mach (Mmo) | M0.82 |
| Weights | |
| Max ramp weight | 97.40 tonnes |
| Max take-off weight (MTOW) | 97.00 tonnes |
| Max landing weight (MLW) | 79.20 tonnes |
| Max zero fuel weight (MZFW) | 75.60 tonnes |
| Max fuel capacity | 32,940 litres |
| Dimensions | |
| Overall length | 44.51 m |
| Cabin length | 34.44 m |
| Fuselage width | 3.95 m |
| Maximum cabin width | 3.70 m |
| Wingspan (geometric) | 35.80 m |
| Height | 11.76 m |
| Track | 7.59 m |
| Wheelbase | 16.90 m |
Aircraft and Product for Seasonal Flying
The seasonal Geneva and Nice operations will be flown on Airbus A321neo aircraft, a cornerstone of Gulf Air’s medium‑haul fleet strategy. Gulf Air has fourteen aircraft of its fourteen aircraft of this type in its fleet. Here are the details of these aircraft as reported by planspotters.net:
| Registration | Configuration | Delivery Date | Aircraft Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| A9C-NB | C16Y150 | Feb 2021 | 5.0 years |
| A9C-NC | C16Y150 | Jun 2021 | 4.7 years |
| A9C-ND | C16Y150 | Aug 2021 | 4.5 years |
| A9C-NE | C16Y150 | Oct 2022 | 3.2 years |
| A9C-NF | C16Y150 | Feb 2023 | 2.9 years |
| A9C-NG | C16Y150 | Sep 2023 | 2.3 years |
| A9C-NH | C16Y150 | Nov 2023 | 2.3 years |
| A9C-XA | C12Y180 | Jun 2023 | 2.6 years |
| A9C-XB | C12Y180 | Oct 2023 | 2.4 years |
| A9C-XC | C12Y180 | Nov 2023 | 2.2 years |
| A9C-XD | C12Y180 | Dec 2023 | 2.1 years |
| A9C-XE | C12Y180 | May 2024 | 1.7 years |
| A9C-XF | C12Y180 | Sep 2024 | 1.4 years |
As you can see from the table above, the typical configuration of these aircraft are business class and economy.
Here’s how the carrier configures this aircraft:
| Feature | Falcon Gold (Business) | Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Seats & Layout | 12 Collins Aerospace Air Rest fixed-shell recliner seats, 2-2 | 180 Recaro CL3710 seats, 3-3 |
| Seat Pitch | 40 in | 31 in |
| Seat Width | 21 in | 18 in |
| Seat Recline | 7 in (forward recline) | 4 in |
| Inflight Entertainment | 17-inch HD touchscreen | Flip-down device holder |
| Power | Universal AC & USB-A | USB-A |
Data: aerolopa
All in All
Looking ahead, Gulf Air may further diversify its seasonal and long‑haul initiatives. The airline’s expansion into the United States with nonstop flights to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City exemplifies broader ambitions beyond traditional Gulf and regional networks.
Gulf Air’s continued innovation in fleet refreshment — including acquisitions of new Boeing 787 Dreamliners — underscores its ability to serve a mix of medium and long‑haul markets, combining efficiency with passenger comfort.