Bahrain Air has begun operating direct flights to the Sudanese capital Khartoum from Dammam's King Fahd International Airport.

Managing Director Capt. Ibrahim Al-Hamer announced this at a celebratory event in Alkhobar.

The private national carrier of Bahrain will begin operating direct flights to the Lebanese capital Beirut from June 20.

Besides Al-Hamer, a number of distinguished guests from Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation as well as Sudanese Embassy and Lebanese Embassy representatives, travel trade partners and well-wishers attended the event. They included Aziz Gilitwala and Rasool Ghuloom of Dadabhai Travel, and Aziz Al-Shaer, Hanif Zakaria and Mohamed Shariff of Bahrain Air.

'This is a great moment in the history of Bahrain Air. The Eastern Province is a very important market for us as we start flying out of Dammam,' said Capt. Ibrahim Al-Hamer.

'Our thanks and appreciation go to the Saudi civil aviation authority officials, especially GACA President Prince Fahd bin Abdullah, for their far-sighted support toward our expansion.'

According to Bahrain Air Regional Manager Hanif Zakaria, the airline will operate three direct flights a week to Khartoum International Airport on Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from Dammam.
The airline will run four flights a week from Dammam to Beirut on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

'Bahrain Air operates with its modern aircraft A320/A319,' said Zakaria.
'We are a hybrid airline, offering both business and economy class configuration; our new flight schedule will give Bahrain Air passengers better convenience flying out from King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, and eliminate delays on the 25 km King Fahd Causeway that connects Saudi Arabia with Bahrain.'

All the invited guests joined Capt. Ibrahim Al-Hamer as he cut a specially-made cake to celebrate the occasion at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Alkhobar.
'For us, Dammam is now the second hub,” Al-Hamer said amid joyous celebrations.