Qatar and Bahrain will resume flights on May 25

The Gulf countries announced the restoration of ties in April, resolving a dispute that dates back to 2017.

Qatar and Bahrain will resume flights between the two countries from May 25, in a continuous process of normalizing relations.

Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs announced the move on Monday, according to Bahrain’s state news agency.

The resumption of flights between the two is “in the framework of fraternal relations between the two countries and brotherly peoples, and in such a way that the common aspirations of the leaders and citizens of both countries are achieved,” the state agency said.

The Gulf countries announced a restoration of ties last month when their respective foreign delegates met on April 12 at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.

In 2017, Bahrain, along with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, they broke ties and imposed a blockade in Qatar about claims it was too close to Iran and backed hard-line groups, charges that Doha has always steadfastly denied.

The four Arab countries have banned Qatari planes and ships from using their airspace and waters, and have severed trade ties. In 2021, however, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt resumed these ties, although the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have yet to open their respective embassies.

Bahrain’s dispute with Qatar focused mainly on the latter’s relationship with Iran and problems along its maritime border.

In January, the Crown Prince of Bahrain and the Emir of Qatar I had a phone call to discuss their differences, in a move that heralded a thaw in relations between the two.

The restoration of ties comes amid a series of other efforts to resolve regional disputes, including bring Syria back to the Arab League and revive ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia.