Gulf Air expands into China to build its Asia-Pacific network.....

                          Gulf Air, the Kingdom of Bahrain's national carrier, will be extending its operations into China in January 2024. In line with its calibrated growth strategy to strengthen its global network and connecting Bahrain with key global destinations under the national Economic Recovery Plan of Bahrain, this strategic move also represents a significant step forward for Gulf Air to bolster its Asia-Pacific presence and support connectivity under the One Belt One Road initiative of China. The expansion plans into China were revealed at the Bahrain-China Investment Forum hosted by the Economic Development Board of Bahrain. The Forum was part of a special delegation to the country led by H.E. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce.

"We are excited by the opportunity to expand our presence in the Asia-Pacific region with new flights connecting Bahrain and the cities of Guangzhou and Shanghai in China," said Dr. Jeffrey Goh, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Air Group Holding. "China is one of the world's fastest-growing economies and a global tourism market. It is key to our strategy of calibrated network growth. These flights will offer greater choice and flexible travel experiences for passengers and create new pipelines for trade, tourism and collaboration, benefitting both nations."

China, known for its strong and vibrant cultural heritage and economic dynamism, is a popular destination for leisure and business travellers. Gulf Air's introduction of flights to Guangzhou and Shanghai will strengthen the bilateral trade and tourism relations of over 30 years. 

Sustainability makes good business sense despite the higher costs.

Captain Waleed Abdul Hameed Al Alawi, CEO, Gulf Air, believes that sustainability makes good business sense despite the higher costs.

How are you positioning the airline in the market?

Our strategy is not to compete on the ultra-long-haul flights that some of our neighbours are doing. Our strength is in the regional market. We have higher frequencies to the Gulf countries.

Of course, we do have the Boeing 787-9, which is capable of longer flights and Bahrain is positioned well to be a hub for east-west traffic, with a good airport. But we concentrate on connectivity and destinations that make sense for us and that serve Bahrain.

 

Are labour shortages affecting your airline?

Yes, they are having a significant effect, especially in Europe. They are affecting our on-time performance and they are creating issues in baggage handling. And it is not just a single flight to Europe affected. There are always connecting or return flights to consider, and this amplifies the problem.

Unfortunately, I don’t see the issue going away quickly. When you think of the time it takes to recruit and train people to have the skills and safety mindset that aviation requires, it is clear that the situation will remain for some time.

Going forward, there are a lot of factors involved in staffing requirements from new technologies to traffic growth, and it is impossible to predict what will happen.

 

Diversity is another aspect of this. What is the airline doing in this regard?

We support diversity and IATA’s 25by2025 initiative. But this is not about employing women just to make up the numbers.

If they want to be a pilot, they need to attain all the necessary skills and qualifications for the job. And throughout aviation, there is a need to reach the right levels of safety understanding. Very specific skill sets are required in most aviation jobs. But the point is that the jobs are open to everybody. There is inclusivity in the opportunity.

At Gulf Air, some 40% of our staff are female. At our headquarters, there are several departments headed by women. They are empowered.

But all we are really concerned about is safety, efficiency, and performance. Your gender, race, or religion are not relevant in that sense. Can you do the job? And if you are doing a good job, you will be promoted as a natural part of your career progression.

Again, though, that requires inclusivity in the opportunity. Women must have equal access to promotions. At Gulf Air, we provide that access.

 

Does investing in sustainability initiatives make business sense?

Sustainability and business sense go hand-in-hand. We all live in this world and the world is suffering. Carbon emissions are causing temperatures to rise. Ultimately, the extreme weather events this causes will be a problem for aviation and for all businesses. It is a problem that we have to solve.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is effective when it is available. We have used SAF in Rolls-Royce engines on our Dreamliner 787-9 and when we have done SAF flybys for the Formula 1 Grand Prix events. But availability is the problem. I am not aware of any production facility in the Middle East so when we have bought SAF, we have bought it from Europe. That’s not logistically viable on a regular basis.

And, of course, it is also extremely expensive. SAF is 3–4 times the price of Jet A-1. Who is going to pay for that? As a business, it is not possible to absorb that cost in a competitive market. But it hard to pass on to the passenger for the same reason. But somebody has to pay. We have to solve that challenge quickly to create the demand that will improve SAF supply.

Still, we are supportive of the Fly Net Zero by 2050 goal, and we will do everything we can to reduce emissions because in the years to come it is emitting carbon that will make you uncompetitive. Emitting carbon will be expensive, hurt your brand, and reduce your customer base.

Governments and airports can help. Unnecessary taxation and charges add to an airline’s cost base and prevent an airline from fully exploring all sustainable initiatives. We are paying mega-bucks for policies and services that aren’t what they should be.

Investing in a greener future | Airlines. (iata.org)

Investing in a greener future......

Captain Waleed Abdul Hameed Al Alawi, CEO, Gulf Air, believes that sustainability makes good business sense despite the higher costs.

How are you positioning the airline in the market?

Our strategy is not to compete on the ultra-long-haul flights that some of our neighbours are doing. Our strength is in the regional market. We have higher frequencies to the Gulf countries.

Of course, we do have the Boeing 787-9, which is capable of longer flights and Bahrain is positioned well to be a hub for east-west traffic, with a good airport. But we concentrate on connectivity and destinations that make sense for us and that serve Bahrain.

 

Are labour shortages affecting your airline?

Yes, they are having a significant effect, especially in Europe. They are affecting our on-time performance and they are creating issues in baggage handling. And it is not just a single flight to Europe affected. There are always connecting or return flights to consider, and this amplifies the problem.

Unfortunately, I don’t see the issue going away quickly. When you think of the time it takes to recruit and train people to have the skills and safety mindset that aviation requires, it is clear that the situation will remain for some time.

Going forward, there are a lot of factors involved in staffing requirements from new technologies to traffic growth, and it is impossible to predict what will happen.

 

Diversity is another aspect of this. What is the airline doing in this regard?

We support diversity and IATA’s 25by2025 initiative. But this is not about employing women just to make up the numbers.

If they want to be a pilot, they need to attain all the necessary skills and qualifications for the job. And throughout aviation, there is a need to reach the right levels of safety understanding. Very specific skill sets are required in most aviation jobs. But the point is that the jobs are open to everybody. There is inclusivity in the opportunity.

At Gulf Air, some 40% of our staff are female. At our headquarters, there are several departments headed by women. They are empowered.

But all we are really concerned about is safety, efficiency, and performance. Your gender, race, or religion are not relevant in that sense. Can you do the job? And if you are doing a good job, you will be promoted as a natural part of your career progression.

Again, though, that requires inclusivity in the opportunity. Women must have equal access to promotions. At Gulf Air, we provide that access.

 

Does investing in sustainability initiatives make business sense?

Sustainability and business sense go hand-in-hand. We all live in this world and the world is suffering. Carbon emissions are causing temperatures to rise. Ultimately, the extreme weather events this causes will be a problem for aviation and for all businesses. It is a problem that we have to solve.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is effective when it is available. We have used SAF in Rolls-Royce engines on our Dreamliner 787-9 and when we have done SAF flybys for the Formula 1 Grand Prix events. But availability is the problem. I am not aware of any production facility in the Middle East so when we have bought SAF, we have bought it from Europe. That’s not logistically viable on a regular basis.

And, of course, it is also extremely expensive. SAF is 3–4 times the price of Jet A-1. Who is going to pay for that? As a business, it is not possible to absorb that cost in a competitive market. But it hard to pass on to the passenger for the same reason. But somebody has to pay. We have to solve that challenge quickly to create the demand that will improve SAF supply.

Still, we are supportive of the Fly Net Zero by 2050 goal, and we will do everything we can to reduce emissions because in the years to come it is emitting carbon that will make you uncompetitive. Emitting carbon will be expensive, hurt your brand, and reduce your customer base.

Governments and airports can help. Unnecessary taxation and charges add to an airline’s cost base and prevent an airline from fully exploring all sustainable initiatives. We are paying mega-bucks for policies and services that aren’t what they should be.

Investing in a greener future | Airlines. (iata.org)

Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, has just announced a new route to Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE.

Gulf Air and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport sign deal for new service

 

The national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Gulf Air, in coordination with Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RAK International Airport) has confirmed it will start a new scheduled service to Ras Al Khaimah on 3rd October 2022. 

The signing ceremony took place at Gulf Air Headquarters in Bahrain, represented by Chairman of the Board of Directors of Gulf Air H.E. Mr Zayed R. Alzayani, Ras Al Khaimah International Airport’s Chairman H.E. Eng. Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Gulf Air Acting Chief Executive Officer Captain Waleed AlAlawi, RAK Airport’s CEO Mr Atanasios Titonis, and RAK’s CEO of Tourism Development Authority Mr Raki Phillips; including Executive Management members from both companies.

The service will commence with a view to establishing a year-round scheduled operation between the two airports connecting the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah beyond Bahrain to regional and international destinations on Gulf Air’s global network.

 

Commenting on the signing H.E. Mr Zayed R. Alzayani said, “As the region’s leading boutique carrier with a global footprint, we look forward to adding Ras Al Khaimah to our network of seaside destinations and increasing our UAE points to three (3) with Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Today we signed on the commencement of services to proceed with operations to Ras Al Khaimah, and I am confident our passengers will be impressed with all the facilities and services Ras Al Khaimah International Airport has to offer”.

UK and Middle Eastern connections further bolstered as Gulf Air start direct route between Bahrain and Manchester Airport

The UK's links to the Middle East will get even stronger as direct flights launch between Bahrain and Manchester from Wednesday 1st June.

With two flights a week the route is a boost for businesses, tourism organisations, universities and those visiting friends and family.

Currently, 28,000 people from across Manchester Airport’s vast catchment area travel indirectly to Bahrain, these are a mix of those visiting family and friends and businesses that trade in the Middle East. A further 2,000,000 people from across the North travel to a range of Gulf Air’s onward destinations that are not currently served by Manchester Airport, so the route will also be beneficial to those wanting to access places like Bangkok, Mumbai and Delhi to name a few.

Ian Costigan, Interim Managing Director at Manchester Airport, said: “It’s great news that Gulf Air is starting direct flights from Manchester Airport, and I am sure it will be incredibly well received by the thousands of people in our catchment area that travel there indirectly each year.

The announcement of a third long-haul route coming to Manchester within the last month clearly shows the role we play in connecting the North to key global destinations. Not only do routes like these make travel easier, but they put the region on the international map for trade, economic and tourism opportunities, plus create a wealth of jobs in the process.

I look forward to welcoming the team from Gulf Air to the airport and wish them every success with the route.”

Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Captain Waleed AlAlawi said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our Bahrain–Manchester direct route as part of the historic Bahraini–UK official and commercial relations. Manchester has been on our horizon for a while due to our customers’ demand; and as travel bounces back to normalcy, we knew it was the right time to launch it for our valued passengers. We are certain this new and exciting destination will further strengthen our network in the UK and Europe, and we look forward to serving our passengers to and from Manchester.”

Sheona Southern, Managing Director of Marketing Manchester, said: “We’re delighted to see this brand-new twice weekly flight from Bahrain to Manchester Airport being added to the route network. Routes old and new are rapidly returning at Manchester Airport, proving that the demand for international travel and tourism is back, and we look forward to offering a warm welcome to visitors from the GCC region who will be arriving with Gulf Air from 1 June.

Henri Murison, director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said “This investment from Gulf Air is a huge vote of confidence is our region and cements Manchester Airport’s status as the gateway to the Northern Powerhouse. Better connectivity between the north and the Middle East is vital for bolstering trade, investment and tourism, delivering a huge economic boost and creating more jobs.”

Tim Newns, Chief Executive of MIDAS, Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency said “Providing a direct route between Greater Manchester and Bahrain presents an excellent opportunity for trade and developing strong partnerships. In the last five years we’ve seen a steady rise in interest from businesses in the GCC region and this increased connectivity will help us to enhance market opportunities and mutual knowledge exchange.”

The route will be served by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft with economy and business class cabins. Return economy flights start from £613 and business class from £3,159.

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, commenced operations in 1950, becoming one of the first commercial airlines established in the Middle East. The airline operates scheduled flights from its hub at Bahrain International Airport to cities in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian sub-continent and the Far East.

The airline currently serves all its destinations with a combination of wide and narrow-body fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft. Renowned for its traditional Arabian hospitality, evidenced by the airline’s signature family and business friendly products, Gulf Air is committed to being an industry leader and developing products and services that reflect the evolving needs and aspirations of its passengers.

Gulf Air connects Bahrain to the world and, as such, is a key national infrastructure asset, serving as a powerful driver for the economy and supporting the Kingdom’s on-going economic growth.

Gulf Air is rated Five Star Major Official Airline by APEX, a rating programme that is based solely on certified passengers’ feedback. This milestone for Gulf Air is a testament to the success of its boutique strategy and the ongoing enhancements to its products and services. Visit www.gulfair.com  to learn more.

 

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Gulf Air at the Bahrain Pavilion at Dubai Expo

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, in coordination with Bahrain Authority of Culture & Antiquities (BACA) and Bahrain Tourism & Exhibition Authority (BTEA) is at the Bahrain Pavilion at EXPO 2020 held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 

The carrier will be at the global event until the end of the major global event on March 31st and has created a space for visitors to Explore Bahrain and Explore Gulf Air with a series of videos and interactive elements to highlight the hub of the airline.

Commenting at the airline’s participation at EXPO 2020, Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Captain Waleed AlAlawi commented: “We are delighted to collaborate with the Bahrain Authority of Culture and Antiquities and the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibition Authority to showcase our beautiful Kingdom and its national carrier at the Bahrain Pavilion. Visitors of EXPO 2020 in the United Arab Emirates are encouraged to connect with our brand, learn more about what we have to offer, and be guided on booking a trip to the Kingdom of Bahrain through gulfair.com.”

Visitors are introduced to Gulf Air’s products and services along with a glimpse of the experience of flying on the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as being able to interact with the brand by scanning codes within the space. Additionally, content of the Kingdom of Bahrain along with codes that can be scanned by visitors to introduce them to touristic and cultural activities of Bahrain are on display, alongside exclusive footage of the Kingdom provided by the Bahrain Authority of Culture & Antiquities (BACA), Bahrain Tourism & Exhibition Authority (BTEA), and the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB).

The Bahrain Stopover, relaunched in December 2021 in collaboration with the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority; gives eligible Gulf Air’s passengers the opportunity to stop in Bahrain, obtain hotel reservations, and use tourist facilities through various tailored packages and offers, before continuing on to their final destinations, including no visa fees and no PCR test on arrival fee.

Gulf Air to start direct flights to Tel Aviv.

Gulf Air is getting ready to start a new direct service from its home base in the Kingdom of Bahrain to Tel Aviv, Israel, with effect from 30th September. The confirmation of the airline’s newest destination launch follows the announcement of peace between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Israel and the political, commercial and civil aviation agreements signed last year between the two countries.

Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Captain Waleed AlAlawi commented: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our Bahrain–Tel Aviv route as part of the historic Bahraini–Israeli relations. As the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain; we take great pride in supporting our leadership and Kingdom in their role of preserving peace and prosperity in the region. We hope this is merely the beginning of developing further opportunities.”

 

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Gulf Air Celebrates 5000th Flight Departure From Bahrain’s New Airport Terminal

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, celebrated the 5000th flight departure from Bahrain International Airport’s new terminal last week, as flight GF003 to London Heathrow marked the operational milestone. A small event was organized at the departure gate of the mentioned flight that was attended by the airline’s executive management and a number of officials from Bahrain International Airport, Bahrain Airport Services, Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs and the Ministry of Interior. Passengers of that flight were also included in the celebration by handing them special commemorative giveaways marking the 5000th departure.

Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Captain Waleed AlAlawi commented: “When we moved to the new airport back in January 2021, we knew it would be a new beginning and new chapter in the Kingdom’s journey in aviation history, supporting the strategic vision for Bahrain to strengthening its position as a hub to facilitate the movement of millions of passengers. The state-of-the-art facilities and the varied options of entertainment for every type of passenger make the new terminal a great place to start and end a journey. Today we celebrate the 5000th departure which serves as a testament to our boutique strategy and our growing airline!”.

The new airport terminal features a dedicated check-in area for both Falcon Gold and economy class passengers of Gulf Air as well as a brand new Falcon Gold lounge that is double in size and capacity compared to the previous one in the old airport. Taking into consideration all of the updated health and safety measures, the new lounge reflects new concepts of modern premium lounges yet keeping with the legacy and rich history of the over 70 year old Gulf Air brand. A number of features are maintained from the previous lounge as well as newly introduced spaces such as a children's area, shower rooms, prayer space, a quiet area along with live cooking stations and new food & beverage concepts. Operational around the clock and with a capacity of over 400 passengers at any given time, the new Falcon Gold lounge is available to experience by the airline’s Falcon Gold passengers as well as its Black, Gold and Silver Falconflyer members.

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Gulf Air Collaborates With International Pet And Animal Transportation Association To Expand Pet And Animal Cargo Services

 

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has recently signed up as a member of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) to expand its specialised cargo services in the field of transporting pets and animals throughout its global network. The membership will allow Gulf Air to tap into a wider market of pet owners with requirements to transport their pets and animals when spending vacations or relocating from a city to another.

IPATA is the worldwide non-profit association dedicated to the care and welfare of pets and animals during transport with the role to represent the interests of professional pet shippers and associated members. Founded in 1979, IPATA provides professional, competent and caring pet transportation and relocation services throughout the world. Over the years it has built a network of concerned pet shippers representing years of experience in the transportation and care of animals. IPATA currently has professional pet shippers in nearly 90 countries serving over 700 airports worldwide.

Commenting on the collaboration, Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Captain Waleed AlAlawi said: “This is a remarkable and unique collaboration as it will open doors for us to a wide market of pet and animal owners who constantly need to transport their pets whenever they go on a long holiday or relocate for business or family reunion purposes. We have great cargo services and ability to ship perishable food, fresh fruits and vegetables, flowers, medical supplies, cars, gold and many more. Now, we will enhance our capabilities in the live animals area to help owners to transport their pets with peace of mind.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Gulf Air as our newest airline associate member,” said Hazel Imrie, President-Elect, Chair of IPATA’s Airline Liaison Committee and Observer to the International Air Transport Association’s Live Animals & Perishables Board. “Their commitment to the humane transport of pets and animals from Bahrain to cities across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Indian sub-continent, and the Far East provides pets owners with the assurance to feel confident knowing their pet’s travel experience will be safe and free from undue stress.”

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Gulf Air Resumes Direct Flights To Tbilisi

                                           Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, resumes its direct operations to Tbilisi International Airport in Georgia starting with 3 weekly flights, today, 15th July 2021.

On this occasion, Captain Waleed Abdulhameed AlAlawi, Acting Chief Executive Officer, said “We have been operating direct flights between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Georgia since 2017 and it is one of the airline’s main destinations in the Caucasus region. We are extremely happy to see a much healthier trend in summer traffic and the resumption of some of our most popular destinations as the global vaccination program continues to bring a sense of normalcy back into our routine.”

The airline currently flies to and from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, Muscat, Cairo, Amman, Casablanca, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Athens, Istanbul, Larnaca, Bangkok, Manila, Singapore, Dhaka, Colombo, the Maldives and several destinations in India and Pakistan. The airline has also successfully launched all of its seasonal destinations for the summer of 2021 with direct flights to Mykonos and Santorini in Greece, Malaga in Spain and Alexandria and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt.

Gulf Air Returns To Alexandria And Sharm El Sheikh This Summer

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, announces the return of two favourite summer destinations to its expanding network; Alexandria and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. Both seasonal destinations will be served by the airline’s new Airbus A321neoLR with 2 weekly flights each starting from 30 June until 25 September 2021. The seasonal summer routes to Egypt will boost the airline’s network with popular seaside destinations that are favourite to many tourists and families in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the region, especially, as demand for travel gradually grows towards the summer holidays with travel restrictions easing off.

 

Captain Waleed Abdulhameed AlAlawi, Acting Chief Executive Officer at Gulf Air said: “We are proudly watching our network grow further with the addition of new destinations and welcoming back routes to cater to the summer traffic. Our passengers have been through this journey with us as we navigated 2020 as one of the few airlines flying at the peak of the pandemic. Today, we are one of the first airlines in the world to have announced that 100% of our crew are vaccinated, provided all our passengers complimentary COVID-19 insurance as well as to have initiated the IATA Travel Pass which we launched on our flights to London, Athens, and Singapore.”

 

The airline currently flies to and from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, Muscat, Cairo, Amman, Casablanca, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Athens, Mykonos, Istanbul, Bangkok, Manila, Singapore, Dhaka, Colombo, the Maldives and several destinations in India and Pakistan. In line with the airline’s strategy, Mykonos and Santorini have been added as boutique summer destinations from June until end of September as well as resuming flights to Larnaca starting from 15 June and Malaga in Spain starting from 25 June.

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Gulf Air flies with COVID vaccinated crews

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain has confirmed that its flights are all operated by 100% vaccinated crew including pilots and flight attendants. The airline has started its internal vaccination campaign for its operating crew and front line staff in December 2020 and is proud to be one of the first airlines in the world to able to provide peace of mind to all passengers flying to any destination of its growing network.

Captain Waleed Abdulhameed AlAlawi, Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer said: “We’re proud to make our passengers feel safer than ever when flying with us. - all our pilots and flight attendants on-board all our flights will be fully vaccinated. This will provide a safer environment for passengers and the crew themselves. We welcome everyone to fly with us to our new destinations and summer favourites, with peace of mind”.

Gulf Air currently flies to and from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, Muscat, Cairo, Amman, Casablanca, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Athens, Istanbul, Bangkok, Manila, Mykonos, Santorini, Singapore, Dhaka, Colombo, the Maldives and several destinations in India and Pakistan. 

 

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Two new summer routes from Gulf Air..... say hello to Santorini and Mykonos

The national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain - Gulf Air, has announced the addition of two new summer destinations to its global network.  The popular boutique airline will fly to Santorini from 2nd June and Mykonos from 3rd June.

Both Santorini and Mykonos will be served by the airline’s new Airbus A320neo with two weekly flights each until the end of September. The seasonal summer routes to the Greek islands will boost the airline’s network with popular boutique seaside destinations that are favourite to many tourists and families in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the region especially as demand for travel grows gradually towards the summer holidays with travel restrictions easing off in Europe.

Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Captain Waleed AlAlawi said: “We’ve researched and studied various destinations to add to our seasonal summer network and we’re excited to reveal Santorini and Mykonos as the new boutique additions. Reviewing potentials and listening to our customers’ feedback, we are confident that both Greek islands will provide the perfect experience for honeymooners, friends and families to spend their holidays. We will be flying to both these destinations for the first time in the history of Gulf Air and we will be the only airline in the region flying to Santorini.”

Santorini and Mykonos become new destinations for Gulf Air.

The national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain - Gulf Air, has announced the addition of two new summer destinations to its global network.  The popular boutique airline will fly to Santorini from 2nd June and Mykonos from 3rd June.

Both Santorini and Mykonos will be served by the airline’s new Airbus A320neo with two weekly flights each until the end of September. The seasonal summer routes to the Greek islands will boost the airline’s network with popular boutique seaside destinations that are favourite to many tourists and families in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the region especially as demand for travel grows gradually towards the summer holidays with travel restrictions easing off in Europe.

Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Captain Waleed AlAlawi said: “We’ve researched and studied various destinations to add to our seasonal summer network and we’re excited to reveal Santorini and Mykonos as the new boutique additions. Reviewing potentials and listening to our customers’ feedback, we are confident that both Greek islands will provide the perfect experience for honeymooners, friends and families to spend their holidays. We will be flying to both these destinations for the first time in the history of Gulf Air and we will be the only airline in the region flying to Santorini.”

Gulf Air transforming Falconflyer loyalty programme with the help of IBS' iFly Loyalty

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has selected IBS Software as a partner to enhance its Falconflyer loyalty programme (FFP) and provide Gulf Air with the flexibility to dynamically adapt its Falconflyer programme to meet the needs of travellers and enhance its members experience.

Gulf Air has entered into this partnership as part of its ongoing digital transformation to deliver the best possible experience to Falconflyers. IBS Software's iFly Loyalty platform will transform the Falconflyer programme for both consumers and partners. Members will benefit from a revamped mobile app and a new customer experience designed to deliver personalised offers and rewards. Programme partners will benefit from an accelerated onboarding process and a new B2B engagement channel that will provide new insights and data to support effective partner management. iFly Loyalty has been developed to help anticipate traveller behaviour, giving airlines the ability to turn data into actionable insights, enabling loyalty programmes to adapt to changing patterns of behaviour and quickly reconfigure their offerings to members. In addition, iFly Loyalty will provide Gulf Air with the capability to run multiple loyalty programmes from a single platform.

"We are completely committed to providing loyal Falconflyer members with a compelling experience that delivers bespoke offers and redemption options that they value. By partnering with IBS Software, we firmly believe that we will significantly enhance the way we reward our customers, as well as provide greater insight and flexibility to our loyalty partners," said Captain Waleed Al Alawi, Gulf Air's Acting Chief Executive Officer. "IBS Software has impressed us from the outset with their industry knowledge and commitment to supporting our Falconflyer Programme. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership as we continue with our digital transformation journey."

 Gulf Air commenced operations in 1950, becoming one of the first commercial airlines established in the Middle East. The airline operates scheduled flights from its hub at Bahrain International Airport to cities in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian sub-continent and the Far East. The airline currently serves all its destinations with a combination of wide and narrow body fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft and is renowned for its traditional Arabian hospitality.

"Gulf Air shares our passion for customer engage
ment, and we're thrilled to be working with a business that implicitly understands the transformative impact customer loyalty will play in the recovery from Covid-19," said Anand Krishnan, Chief Executive Officer, IBS Software. "We are working closely with Gulf Air to ensure our system has the flexibility required to change with the times and meet the needs of Gulf Air's Falconflyers. We're extremely excited to play our role in helping Falconflyer go from strength to strength at a pivotal time in our industry."

IBS Software is a leading SaaS solutions provider to the travel industry globally, managing mission-critical operations for customers in the aviation, tour & cruise and hospitality industries. IBS Software's solutions for the aviation industry cover fleet & crew operations, aircraft maintenance, passenger services, loyalty programs, staff travel and air-cargo management. IBS Software also runs a real time B2B and B2C distribution platform providing hotel room inventory, rates and availability to a global network of hospitality companies and channels.

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Gulf Air aim to be in a 'class of their own'

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, commenced operations in 1950, becoming one of the first commercial airlines established in the Middle East. The airline operates scheduled flights from its hub at Bahrain International Airport to cities in Europe, Middle East, Africa, the Indian sub-continent and the Far East.

We may only be on the first day of April,  but already the carrier has had an exciting start to the year, firstly shifting operations to the new Bahrain International Airport where it unveiled Gulf Air's very own terminal and brand new Falcon Gold Lounge.  

On 12th March Gulf Air operated a cargo-only flight, delivering 300,000 Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines from the People's Republic of China to the Kingdom of Bahrain in support of the National Vaccination Campaign.

Gulf Air to start Singapore service

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has confirmed it will add Singapore to its growing route network with a weekly flight starting April 2021. The airline continues to explore opportunities to expand its network and reach to different regions of the world. Known for its premium leisure and business appeal, Singapore will serve as another boutique destination of the only boutique airline in the Middle East. Gulf Air’s newest destination will further enhance the connectivity of the airline’s destinations in Europe and GCC, with a convenient departure and arrival timing to/from Singapore.

Operated by the airline’s flagship Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, the Singapore route will be added to Gulf Air’s list of Asian routes of Bangkok and Manila. Gulf Air first operated flights to Singapore in the 1990s and by adding it to its network in April 2021, it will be amongst the airline’s top long-haul routes.

Gulf Air’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner offer 282 seats in a two-class configuration, with 26 Falcon Gold Class seats and 256 Economy Class seats – a 32% increase in capacity on the airline’s previous wide body offering. The industry-leading technology of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner boasts superior fuel efficiency, environmentally friendly operations and range flexibility that will facilitate Gulf Air’s planned network expansion and fleet optimisation at a lower operating cost.  

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Gulf Air's new special edition A321neoLR

Introducing the special edition A321neoLR aircraft!

Gulf Air recently welcomed the second Airbus A321neoLR to its fleet and it was the first to sport the new special vintage livery!

 

This new Airbus A321neoLR features full lie-flat sleeper seats will be scheduled on flights to Frankfurt, Paris and select flights to Cairo, Dubai, Riyadh and some destinations in India from the new Bahrain International Airport terminal.

The aircraft features 16 Falcon Gold flat-bed seats and 150 seats in the Economy cabin and all seats are equipped with the latest in-flight entertainment technology and in-seat comfort features. Sit back and relax to discover the combination of technology and innovation in design. The aircraft boasts the essence of the overall boutique experience with the opportunity to provide more personalized service, cosier cabin and faster process of boarding and disembarking. 

The new aircraft is also be equipped with a wireless internet connection (WiFi) as the airline continues to offer the best in class service to passengers flying on its young fleet.

Gulf Air’s A321neoLR is powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines and it is the largest and most advanced A320 family aircraft. Featuring the widest single-aisle cabin in the market, the A321neoLR is also more eco-friendly than other types of the same size and it delivers up to 20% fuel burn reduction per seat, up to 14% lower cash operating costs per seat and 50% noise reduction.

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Gulf Air takes delivery of its second Airbus A321neo aircraft.

Earlier this month, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Gulf Air welcomed its new Airbus A321neoLR which landed in the new terminal of Bahrain International Airport at approximately 0640 local time on Friday 5th February 2021. 

The aircraft is designed with the special 70th anniversary Golden Falcon livery which showcases the airline’s iconic and vintage design from the last century with a revamped look. Following its delivery from the Airbus delivery centre in Hamburg, Germany, the aircraft will operate long-haul European routes as well as a selection of GCC destinations. The aircraft is the second of the 17 A321neo aircraft order which includes 8 that are equipped with flat-bed seats. Gulf Air was the first airline in the Middle East to introduce fully flat-beds on this aircraft type.

Commenting on this milestone delivery, H.E. Mr. Zayed R. Alzayani, Chairman of Gulf Air’s Board of Directors said: “We are delighted to welcome our newest aircraft, the Airbus A321neoLR into our fleet in its special 70th anniversary Golden Falcon livery. This addition will strengthens our position in the medium to long haul markets as it represents an upgraded product to offer best in class service to our passengers. The relationship that we have with Airbus is very strong and we continue to work closely with them to further develop our fleet and products to ensure the highest levels of customer satisfaction”.

Gulf Air heads back to Colombo

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, commenced operations in 1950, becoming one of the first commercial airlines established in the Middle East. Today, Gulf Air is a major international carrier serving 49 cities in 27 countries.

The airline operates double daily flights or more to 10 regional cities, in addition, to select destinations in the Indian Subcontinent and Europe, from its hub at Bahrain International Airport

Now, Gulf Air has confirmed the resumption of its direct operations to and from Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport will commence on 15th  February and will fly twice a week on its new Airbus A320neo aircraft.

Gulf Air has been operating direct flights between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Sri Lanka since 1981 and it is one of the airline’s main destinations in the Indian Sub-continent region. The airline currently flies to and from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, Muscat, Cairo, Amman, Casablanca, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Athens, Bangkok, Manila, Dhaka and several destinations in India and Pakistan.

Being one of the few airlines that never stopped flying in 2020, Gulf Air continuously works closely with the government authorities across its network to resume operations as demand for travel grows. Gulf Air boasts a flexible and agile network by immediately adapting to government guidelines and civil aviation directives and has been responsive to continuous changes and updates.

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