Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air has announced it will operate up to seven flights a week to Istanbul from July 11 to September 12.

The additional services as a part of the airline's new summer schedule are meant to cater to growing passenger numbers in light of the upcoming holiday season, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

Gulf Air's acting chief commercial officer Ahmed Janahi said passengers' increased flexibility and choice in booking their summer travel to and from Istanbul was critical in light of the consistently strong two-way traffic between Istanbul and Bahrain and the greater region.

Flight GF43 will depart from Bahrain at 9.45am and arrive in Istanbul at 1.55pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays, whereas GF44, the return flight from Istanbul, will depart at 3pm and arrive in Bahrain at 6.55pm.

GF45 will depart from Bahrain at 8.55pm, arriving in Istanbul at 1.05am on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with the return flight, GF46, departing at 1.55am and arriving at 5.50am on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Gulf Air operates one of the largest regional networks, with multiple daily flights to more than 10 regional cities.

The national carrier also provides connectivity for passengers travelling from Turkey to the Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Asia. - TradeArabia News Service