City News – PowerUp City Magazine

Bahrain Approves Sea Link as Causeway Alternative

Riza Castillo — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:10:28 +0000

Bahrain has approved a proposal to introduce a passenger sea link to Saudi Arabia, adding another option for travel between the two countries.

The plan, confirmed by Speaker Ahmed Salman Al Musallam, involves launching a ferry service that can operate alongside the King Fahd Causeway. The service is intended to provide an alternative route when traffic builds up or access is temporarily limited.

Initial plans suggest a connection between Khalifa bin Salman Port and King Abdulaziz Port. This would give travelers another way to move between Bahrain and the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, with easier access to key destinations including airports and business hubs.

Officials say the proposal supports efforts to improve regional connectivity and reduce pressure on existing infrastructure. The causeway remains one of the busiest crossings in the Gulf, and an additional route can help distribute movement more efficiently.

The plan also aligns with Bahrain’s broader push into maritime transport. In 2025, a passenger ferry service between Bahrain and Qatar was introduced, offering a faster alternative to traditional travel routes.

Further details, including timelines and operations, are expected to be announced as the project develops. For now, the approval sets the direction for a more flexible transport network between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Gulf Air rolls out temporary Dammam network until April 30

Riza Castillo — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:32:53 +0000

Manama, Bahrain – April 07 2026:

Travel continues, even as routes shift.

Gulf Air has introduced a temporary network through Dammam, with travel available until 30 April 2026. The move comes as airlines across the region adjust to changing airspace conditions.

Part of Gulf Air’s operations has been redirected to King Fahd International Airport, allowing key routes to remain active across Europe, Asia, and other destinations.

Passengers are currently traveling between Bahrain and Dammam by land before continuing their flights. The process takes a bit longer, but it keeps journeys on track during a period of adjustment.

The response has been quick and coordinated. Routes have been reorganized, and connections remain in place for travelers who need to move across the region and beyond.

This temporary setup runs through the end of April. For now, it reflects how travel continues to adapt, keeping people connected as conditions evolve.

Gulf Air Temporary Network via Dammam

Daily Flights

London Heathrow
Mumbai
Chennai
Manila

4 Weekly Flights

Cairo
Kochi

3 Weekly Flights

Paris
Casablanca
Nairobi
Bangkok
Frankfurt

2 Weekly Flights

Istanbul
Thiruvananthapuram
Athens
Lahore
Dhaka

1 Weekly Flight

Islamabad

Source: Gulf Air official Instagram (@gulfair)

Flight routes and schedule details are based on Gulf Air’s latest update on its temporary network via Dammam, with travel available until 30 April 2026.

For the latest travel advisories, requirements, and updates, passengers are encouraged to check Gulf Air’s official website before their journey.

Bahrain International Airport Climbs Global Ranks, Owns Service Game

PowerUpAdmin — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 13:22:36 +0000

Bahrain continues to strengthen its position on the global aviation map, as Bahrain International Airport secures a place among the world’s top-performing airports in the 2026 Skytrax World Airport Awards.

The airport has been ranked 20th globally, a notable achievement that reflects consistent operational excellence and a steadily rising international reputation. More significantly, it has been named Best Airport Staff in the Middle East for the fifth consecutive year, reinforcing Bahrain’s commitment to service quality at every touchpoint of the passenger journey.

A Benchmark in Service and Efficiency

This recognition goes beyond rankings. It highlights a system that works from streamlined check-in processes to efficient security procedures and well-managed passenger flow. Travelers passing through Bahrain International Airport continue to experience a level of ease and professionalism that sets it apart in a highly competitive region.

At the core of this achievement is the airport’s workforce. The repeated recognition for staff excellence underscores a culture built on consistency, attentiveness, and operational discipline. In an industry where passenger experience often defines reputation, Bahrain has managed to maintain a standard that resonates globally.

Strengthening Bahrain’s Global Position

The accolade also reinforces Bahrain’s growing role as a regional transit hub. Positioned strategically within the Gulf, the airport serves as a key connector between East and West, with increasing importance for both business and leisure travel.

As neighboring hubs continue to expand aggressively, Bahrain’s approach stands out for its balance combining modern infrastructure with a service-first mindset. Rather than competing purely on scale, the focus remains on quality, efficiency, and human experience.

A Consistent Upward Trajectory

This latest recognition is not an isolated milestone but part of a broader trajectory. Since the airport’s modernization and expansion, Bahrain has steadily improved its global standing, attracting both airlines and passengers seeking a smoother, more refined travel experience.

Five consecutive years of recognition for staff excellence signals more than short-term success it reflects a sustainable standard that has been embedded into daily operations.

The Takeaway

Bahrain International Airport’s performance in the 2026 Skytrax Awards confirms what frequent travelers already know: this is an airport that delivers, consistently.

In a landscape dominated by scale and spectacle, Bahrain is proving that precision, professionalism, and people still define world-class travel.

Chinese Special Envoy Meets Bahrain’s Foreign Minister to Discuss Gulf Security

PowerUpAdmin — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 06:43:13 +0000

Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, received Zhai Jun, Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on Middle East Affairs, during an official meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Manama as part of the envoy’s visit to the Kingdom.

The discussions focused on the longstanding diplomatic and economic relations between Bahrain and the People’s Republic of China, as well as the latest regional developments affecting the Gulf.

Regional Security and Recent Attacks Discussed

During the meeting, both sides reviewed the ongoing regional situation, including the recent Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting Bahrain and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Officials discussed the resulting human and material losses and the broader implications for regional stability, energy security, maritime navigation, and international trade routes.

The talks come amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region, where attacks on energy facilities and infrastructure have raised concerns about disruptions to global oil markets and shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors for energy supplies.

Cooperation Through the United Nations

The two sides also explored ways to strengthen cooperation through international institutions, particularly the United Nations Security Council, where both countries frequently coordinate on key regional and global issues.

Officials emphasized the importance of diplomatic dialogue and multilateral cooperation in addressing security challenges and maintaining stability across the Middle East.

China has increasingly positioned itself as a diplomatic actor in the region in recent years, advocating for peaceful solutions to conflicts and greater international cooperation on security and development issues.

Strong Bahrain–China Relations

Bahrain and China share expanding ties across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, infrastructure development, and energy cooperation. China is one of Bahrain’s major trading partners and a key participant in projects connected to the Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to strengthen economic connectivity across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

Over the past decade, cooperation between the two countries has grown in areas such as logistics, financial services, technology, and industrial development, reflecting Bahrain’s strategic role as a regional business and financial hub.

Officials in Attendance

The meeting was attended by several senior officials from Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including:

Ambassador Shaikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Khalifa, Director-General of Bilateral Relations
Ambassador Saeed Abdulkhaleq Saeed, Head of the Coordination and Follow-up Sector
Ambassador Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Acting Head of the Asian Affairs Sector

The visit highlights Bahrain’s ongoing diplomatic engagement with global partners as the Kingdom works to promote regional stability and safeguard international economic and trade interests.

More on City News

King Fahd Causeway Remains Open

PowerUpAdmin — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 07:34:04 +0000

If you’re planning to travel between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, here’s the good news: the King Fahd Causeway is fully open and operating normally.

Despite recent regional tensions and temporary changes to airspace across the Gulf, traffic across the Bahrain–Saudi bridge continues without disruption. Travelers moving in either direction are being processed smoothly at border checkpoints, and authorities say the route is functioning at full capacity.

For many residents, the causeway has become the most reliable way to travel between the two countries right now, especially as some flights across the region face delays or cancellations.

The 25-kilometre King Fahd Causeway, which connects Bahrain to Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, has been the main land link between the two countries since opening in 1986 and remains one of the busiest cross-border routes in the GCC.

What this means for travelers

Cross-border travel between Bahrain and Saudi is continuing as normal
Border processing and vehicle movement are running smoothly
The causeway remains a key alternative route while regional aviation adjusts

GCC Diplomats Meet UN Chief as Gulf Tensions Rise

PowerUpAdmin — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 06:46:47 +0000

New York – 8 March

Diplomats from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries gathered at the United Nations in New York this week for an important discussion with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, focusing on the latest security developments affecting the Gulf region.

The meeting brought together the permanent representatives of GCC member states, led by Bahrain’s Ambassador to the UN, Jamal Fares Alrowaiei, as Bahrain currently chairs the 46th session of the GCC.

During the conversation, GCC representatives shared updates on recent incidents linked to Iranian aggression that have targeted civilian areas and key infrastructure across the region. According to the diplomats, several sites have been affected, including energy facilities, transport hubs, airports, and seaports.

They stressed that attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure raise serious concerns and stand in violation of international law and the United Nations Charter.

The meeting also served as an opportunity for GCC countries to outline the scale of the incidents and reaffirm their preparedness to respond to threats. Officials highlighted that the region’s air defence systems remain fully operational and ready to protect vital infrastructure.

As tensions continue to shape conversations around regional stability, discussions like these at the United Nations play a key role in keeping the international community informed and engaged with developments in the Gulf.

Bahrain Authorities Shut Down Shop Over Unjustified Price Increases

PowerUpAdmin — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 06:35:41 +0000

Authorities in Bahrain have ordered the closure of a food retail outlet after inspectors discovered that several products were being sold at inflated prices without valid justification.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the violations were identified during a market inspection carried out amid the country’s current exceptional circumstances. The business was found to have increased prices on a number of items in breach of Bahrain’s Consumer Protection Law No. 35 of 2012. The case has now been referred to the Public Prosecution for further legal proceedings.

Inspectors also reported that the shop failed to display prices on all items offered for sale, which is another violation of consumer protection regulations.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to protecting consumers and maintaining fair market practices, warning that strict legal action will be taken against businesses that attempt to exploit the situation or violate pricing regulations.

Authorities Warns Public Not to Share Footage of Security Operations

PowerUpAdmin — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 07:45:26 +0000

Authorities in Bahrain have issued an important reminder to residents and citizens: do not share images or videos related to recent Iranian attacks, response operations, or security locations.

According to Bahrain’s Public Prosecution, publishing or circulating such material online — including on social media — could interfere with national security efforts and potentially put lives at risk.

Officials explained that footage showing attack sites, response operations, emergency movements, or security measures taken by authorities may reveal sensitive information that could be misused or disrupt ongoing response efforts.

The warning also makes it clear that sharing this type of content is considered a criminal offence under Bahrain’s laws. The legal responsibility does not only apply to the person who records or publishes the footage. Anyone who reposts, forwards, or distributes the material in any form may face the same legal consequences.

Authorities say the measure is part of broader efforts to protect national security and maintain stability during the current regional developments.

Similar advisories have been issued across several Gulf countries in recent days, where governments are asking the public not to share security-related images, emergency responses, or defence operations online, as tensions across the region continue to unfold.

Bahrain’s Public Prosecution is also urging the public to rely on official government announcements and verified news sources for updates and to follow instructions issued by the relevant authorities.

Officials emphasized that being mindful about what is shared online is crucial, as responsible information sharing helps safeguard the community and supports national security operations.

Parliament Voices Confidence in Bahrain’s Security and Stability

PowerUpAdmin — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 07:04:42 +0000

Members of Bahrain’s Council of Representatives have reaffirmed that the Kingdom remains firm in protecting its security, sovereignty, and national achievements.

In statements released this week, members of parliament stressed that Bahrain continues to take all necessary steps to safeguard the country and ensure the safety of its people. They highlighted the nation’s resilience and the strength of its institutions during a time of heightened regional tensions.

The MPs also expressed their full support for the measures taken by the Kingdom’s leadership to defend Bahrain’s stability and protect vital infrastructure, communities, and national interests.

They praised the readiness of the Bahrain Defence Force and the Ministry of Interior, recognising the efforts of security and emergency teams working to maintain safety and respond to threats affecting the region.

According to the council members, Bahrain’s progress and development remain a shared national achievement that must be protected. They emphasised that unity between leadership, institutions, and the public continues to play a key role in strengthening the Kingdom’s security and long-term stability.

Across Bahrain, Families Rally in Solidarity with the Kingdom

PowerUpAdmin — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 06:51:13 +0000

Across Bahrain, families, community leaders, businesses, and cultural organisations are speaking up with one message: unity.

In recent days, hundreds of Bahraini families and institutions have publicly expressed their solidarity with the Kingdom following the Iranian attacks that targeted Bahrain and several Gulf countries. Their statements highlight a strong sense of national unity and collective responsibility during a tense regional moment.

Many voices from across society — including community figures, business leaders, sports clubs, and civil society groups — reaffirmed their support for the country and its leadership. They expressed confidence in the measures being taken by the government to safeguard the nation and protect its stability.

The statements also praised the readiness and vigilance of the Bahrain Defence Force and the Ministry of Interior, recognising the efforts of frontline personnel working to protect communities and respond to the attacks on civilian areas and infrastructure.

Despite the challenges, the message from across the Kingdom is clear: Bahrain stands together. Families and institutions alike emphasised that unity, resilience, and national solidarity remain at the heart of the country’s response during this critical time.