Bahrain Takes Aircraft Out of Country as Iran Threat Persists

Bahrain repositioned aircraft for its national carrier Gulf Air and several cargo companies out of the country as the Gulf nation continues to face threats from Iranian missile and drone attacks.

Some 17 aircraft were taken out of the country, including nine Gulf air jets, seven DHL freighters and one Air India Express plane, according to data from Flightradar24.

The country successfully transfered the aircrafts from Bahrain International Airport to alternative hubs and “this measure is designed to enhance fleet operational readiness and ensure the continuity and efficiency of air operations during the current circumstances,”said the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications in a statement.

Mass repositioning flights from Bahrain at the moment. https://t.co/ZtccOJ2BAe
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— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 10, 2026

In the Persian Gulf, air travel remains heavily disrupted. While Emirates and Etihad Airways have slowly resumed commercial operations, their efforts have been interrupted by missile and drone attacks. Emirates had to briefly suspend flights several times over the past week as missiles and drones entered Dubai’s airspace.

As a result, carriers in the region are trying to move more of their planes out of harm’s way, or keep them in far-flung airports where they’ve been parked since hostilities started over a week ago. Besides concerns of physical damage, any aircraft parked in a country that has been targeted will have to pay a war premium on the insurance for the asset.

The repositioning of the fleet were taken to “ensure the continuity of air operations in full compliance with the highest standards of safety and security,” the ministry said.

Since the war started 12 days ago, the Gulf nation sustained damages to infrastructure including the country’s main airport and a water desalination site. Bahrain’s main energy company, which operates the island nation’s only oil refinery, declared force majeure on operations that have been impacted by the ongoing war.

Photograph: A Gulf Air aircraft Photo credit: Andrej Isakovic/Getty Images