AVIATION | GULF | February 2026
Premium leisure airline beOnd has signed a letter of intent with Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs to launch a Bahrain-based airline — a move that could contribute up to $1.5 billion to the kingdom’s GDP and create more than 1,200 direct high-skilled jobs within its first five years.
The Dubai-headquartered airline plans to base up to 10 aircraft in Bahrain by 2030, connecting Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America with an all-premium cabin experience.
What beOnd is bringing to the region
Founded in 2023, beOnd operates narrowbody Airbus aircraft configured entirely with lie-flat seats, a model designed for high-end leisure and business travellers who want a premium experience without the bulk of a widebody flight. The airline currently operates from Dubai, Riyadh, Zurich, Munich, Milan, the Red Sea and the Maldives, with plans to expand to China, South Korea, India, France and the UK in 2026.
The Bahrain deal follows the airline’s December 2025 announcement of a Saudi Arabia subsidiary, cementing a clear Gulf-first expansion strategy backed by a $100 million Series C funding round.
More than an airline
beOnd plans to build structured training programmes for pilots, cabin crew, engineers and ground staff, positioning Bahrain as a hub for advanced aviation skills with simulators and maintenance facilities. AI will also be deployed across operations, maintenance, and passenger experience, building local expertise in the process.
Beyond the 1,200 direct roles, the initiative is projected to support over 6,000 indirect jobs across tourism, hospitality and logistics, a meaningful boost for Bahrain’s Vision 2030 diversification goals.
The bigger picture
Premium air travel is booming across the Gulf. Bahrain is betting that attracting quality carriers like beOnd, rather than chasing volume, is the smarter path to becoming a regional aviation hub worth watching.
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