Gulf Air confirmed that flight  GF742 travelling from Bahrain to Kabul, Afghanistan on 21^st September was refused permission to land in Kabul by the Civil Aviation Authority in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The flight carrying 117 passengers has since returned to Bahrain.

Gulf Air statement said: "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 would like to apologize for the disruption caused to its passengers which was beyond its control."

The Afghan authorities recently advised the Gulf Air to reduce its flights from four to two per week without giving any specified reason and maybe in in direct contravention of the bilateral agreement in place between The Kingdom of Bahrain and  Afghanistan  which permits  Gulf Air  to operate 8 flights per week.

Gulf Air added: "As such  the refusal to permit landing directly contravenes the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) agreements and protocols in this regard. Furthermore, none of the other airlines operating higher frequencies into Kabul have been subjected to such punitive measures. Gulf Air is seeking official clarification from the Civil Aviation Authority in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and hopes that the situation will be resolved as quickly as possible."

Source: Gulf Air