Bahrain's flag carrier, Gulf Air, has issued a directive to reverse redundancies for some staff to allow them to return to work.The airline's board made the directive at a meeting on Thursday which also included the need to study the organisational structure of the airline, local media reported.

The decision is understood to affect contracts of “less than 100” Bahraini and expatriate staff which were ended as part of a restructuring plan to offset annual financial losses.

Last year, the airline appointed a new board of directors for a three-year term to support the management team in implementing its business strategy.

Gulf Air is also expanding operations and expects to carry 5.5 million passengers this year, with the fleet growing from 28 to 35 aircraft.

The airline is also working on a strategy to fly to over 60 destinations by 2023.