Airlines

Qatar Airways and Gulf Air Reestablish Nonstop Flights between Qatar and Bahrain

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Qatar Airways and Gulf Air are restarting nonstop flights between Qatar and Bahrain. On May 25, the airlines will resume service, bringing an almost six-year break in direct flights between Bahrain International Airport (BAH) and Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH). The planned return comes just weeks after Qatar and Bahrain restored diplomatic ties.

According to the booking system for Qatar Airways, the 50-minute flight will be available every day utilizing Airbus A320 aircraft. Until right now, travelers booking through Qatar Airways had only the choice of an Oman Airlines-operated, more than 7-hour, one-stop route through Muscat.

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Additionally, Gulf Air has started selling tickets for its daily BAH-DOH service, which departs Bahrain at 9.30 a.m. and returns from Doha at 11.15 a.m.

The resumption of direct flights between the two countries will increase regional tourism. Non-resident Malayalis, notably the business community, will profit as well. Previously, it was required to go to Doha via Oman and Kuwait.

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Qatar Airways and Gulf Air both offered up to six flights daily between Doha and Bahrain prior to the blockade in 2017. According to information from OAG Schedules Analyzer, the two carriers offered more than 28,000 weekly two-way seats between the locations.

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Airlines

Sanctions & Engine Issues Ground Half of Russia’s A320neo fleet

Russia’s aviation sector, already strained by Western sanctions, faces another setback as nearly half of its Airbus A320neo family aircraft are grounded due to unresolved engine issues.

This development highlights the growing challenges for russia commercial aircraft in maintaining their fleets under the weight of global restrictions and limited access to spare parts.

Out of the 66 Airbus A320neo and A321neo jets in Russia, 34 are now out of service, according to the Kommersant business newspaper. These planes are powered by engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of RTX Corporation.

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The engines are affected by a previously identified defect in the metal used for certain parts, prompting accelerated inspections and maintenance.

Sanctions have compounded the issue, blocking the supply of essential components from major manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus. Without proper maintenance, experts warn that these aircraft may face decommissioning as early as 2026.

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Airlines like S7, which operates a significant portion of these grounded jets, plan to conserve the engines for future use during peak travel seasons. However, reports suggest that over 20 of S7’s Airbus planes have engines that have already reached the end of their operational lifespan. Recently, russia seeks assistance from kazakhstan’s airlines to bolster its domestic flights.

While some A320neo and A321neo planes in Russia are equipped with French-made LEAP engines, which are seen as less problematic, the challenges remain daunting.

The situation underscores the long-term impact of sanctions on Russia’s aviation sector and the increasing difficulties in keeping its modern fleets operational.