beOnd (B4) and Gulf Air (GF) have announced a long-term codeshare and loyalty partnership through their official social media channels, set to take effect from the 2026 winter season.
Inside the deal
With key stakeholders, including government officials from the transport sector of Bahrain in the ceremony, the agreement was formalised by Gulf Air’s CEO Martin Gauss and Beond’s CEO Tero Taskila
beOnd’s CEO Taskila said:
“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.”
The deal follows as part of beOnd’s recent announcement of its broader multi-AOC strategy, with expansion planned across the Middle East, and entry into new regions such as the North America and Asia. The partnership with Gulf Air extends across codeshare operations and loyalty integration, allowing passengers to book end-to-end journeys on a single itinerary while earning and redeeming rewards across both carriers.
Bahrain as a Hub for leisure travel
Gulf Air will draw on its passenger base to feed demand into the premium offering, positioning Bahrain as a hub for high-value leisure travel, with the initiative aligning with national plans to expand connectivity to 100 destinations by 2030. For Gulf Air, the partnership marks an entry into a new market segment, extending its portfolio beyond traditional network operations, while both carriers aim to capture growing demand from premium leisure travellers through integrated scheduling and network coordination.
Aligned with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, the collaboration supports economic diversification, private-sector growth, and the development of specialised aviation talent within the kingdom. beOnd plans to establish training programmes for pilots, cabin crew, engineers, and ground staff, backed by simulators and maintenance facilities, further reinforcing Bahrain’s ambitions as a centre for advanced aviation skills.
Do you think this strategy can work for beOnd? Let us know in the comments.
