Bahrain's Gulf Air said its GF742 flight to Kabul, Afghanistan was refused permission to land by the Civil Aviation Authority
Bahrain's Gulf Air said on Wednesday that its GF742 flight to Kabul, Afghanistan was refused permission to land by the Civil Aviation Authority.
The flight carrying 117 passengers has since returned to Bahrain, Bahrain Press Agency reported.
"Gulf Air is working hard to make sure all passengers affected are accommodated on alternative flights either to their destination of origin or Kabul as soon as possible," the airline said in a statement published by BNA.
"The airline would like to apologise for the disruption caused to its passengers which was beyond its control," the statement added.
Gulf Air is seeking official clarification from the Civil Aviation Authority and hopes the situation will be resolved "as quickly as possible".
The landing dispute follows a reguest from Afghan authorities to the airline to reduce its flights from four to two per week "in direct contravention of the bilateral agreement in place between Bahrain and Afghanistan", the carrier said.
It claimed the refusal directly contravened the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) agreements and protocols, adding that no other airlines operating higher frequencies into Kabul have been subjected to "such punitive measures".
Separately, Gulf Air said on Wednesday that its flights to and from all destinations in Iraq and Iran had been suspended until September 30 and October 31 respectively.
"The decision has been taken following the on-going security situation in the region," the airline said on its official website.
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