A Bahraini court has awarded compensation to four citizens impacted by important flight disruptions, highlighting a trend of increased legal challenges to airline practices regarding delays and cancellations. The ruling, issued January 11, 2026, centers on a case involving a Gulf airline’s failure to adequately notify passengers of a flight cancellation and subsequent itinerary impacts. The decision underscores the request of international aviation law, specifically the Montreal Convention, in holding carriers accountable for disruptions within their control.
A Bahraini court has ordered a Gulf airline to pay approximately $1,100 in compensation to four Bahraini citizens following a significant delay to their flight and subsequent disruptions to their travel plans. The ruling underscores the growing legal scrutiny of airline responsibility for travel disruptions and associated costs.
According to attorney Abdulazim Habeel, representing the plaintiffs, the group had booked round-trip tickets including connecting flights, totaling four separate journeys. These flights experienced repeated delays and, in one instance, a complete cancellation, without adequate notification. The initial flight arrived 32 minutes late, and transferring passengers faced an additional 40-minute wait for transportation to their connecting gate. Upon arrival at the airline’s airport counter, the passengers were informed of the cancellation and offered an alternative flight, with notification delivered via email while they were still on the aircraft.
Habeel argued that relying on email notification was insufficient, given the airline’s policy of requiring passengers to switch off electronic devices during flight. The delays and cancellation resulted in the loss of two days of their planned itinerary and incurred additional expenses. The plaintiffs initially sought $22,600 in compensation, citing Bahrain’s Law No. 26 of 2000.
The court’s decision was based on the principles outlined in the Montreal Convention of 1999, which governs international air transport and to which Bahrain is a signatory under Decree-Law No. 26 of 2000. The court found that the airline failed to demonstrate it had taken reasonable measures to prevent the delays. It noted that, as the operator of all flights involved, the airline had a responsibility to ensure proper planning and coordination to maintain timely and operational flight schedules.
The court determined that the airline was liable for both material and moral damages. Compensation was calculated at 200 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) per claimant, equivalent to approximately $103.24 per person based on the exchange rate of $1.3698 as certified by the International Monetary Fund on December 20, 2025. This resulted in a total award of $412.96, plus a statutory interest rate of 3% per annum, court costs, and attorney fees. The court ultimately ordered the airline to pay a total of $421.96 to the plaintiffs, distributed equally among them.
