Travellers aboard Gulf Air flights will receive a unique Belgian chocolate in the replica shape of an F1 car presented in a Grand Prix-style race car box. This will be part of the carrier’s award winning inflight catering during the race week beginning 8th March.
“Our Sky Chefs wanted to create a unique treat for our Grand Prix visitors and this is a world first again for Gulf Air,” says Gulf Air Head of Inflight Services Michael Kent.
“The chocolate F1 car presented in the pit stop box is a momento of our onboard catering and hospitality excellence and bears testimony to our commitment as the title sponsor of the Middle East’s only motor racing Grand Prix.”
In February this year, Gulf Air was named Best Airline for its onboard catering in the prestigious Skytrax Awards. It followed last year’s Skytrax World Airline Catering Awards 2005 for best onboard catering in First and Business Class and the PAX International Readership award for the best new product launch in in-flight service at the Middle East Catering Conference in Bahrain.
As the official carrier and title sponsor for Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix 2006, Gulf Air has already embarked on a series of publicity and marketing campaigns and other associated activities, attracting international motor sport participants, enthusiasts and spectators alike to the Kingdom of Bahrain to witness the greatest racing event of the year.
Bahrain has already made its mark in the international motor racing scene with its state-of-the-art Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) as the Middle East region's best circuit and Gulf Air is only too happy and proud to be associated with the event that will reinforce Bahrain's position firmly in the international motor sport map. The kingdom is also the leading financial centre in the region.
The Formula 1 World Championship has firmly established itself as one of the most prestigious, popular, exciting and technically-sophisticated competitions in the international sporting calendar.
The sport transcends all boundaries of age and nationality to capture the imagination and enthusiasm of millions of people and its global popularity finds its rivals in the Olympic Games or the world football championships.
Last year's Gulf Air Bahrain Formula 1 drew several international race champions, celebrities, dignitaries, VIPs and more than 50,000 spectators from around the world to Bahrain. The event received overwhelming positive comments and popularity from every corner of the world. The plaudits from the FIA, the teams - especially the drivers - and visiting fans alike is that Bahrain is now a race that ranks high on the list of the F1 calendar.
About Gulf Air
Founded in 1950, Gulf Air, owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, is the only truly Pan Gulf carrier in the Middle East region.
The regional, geographic and cultural values that the airline has embraced over more than half a century are still central to defining its brand and service ethos.
Today the airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 50 cities in 30 countries. The fleet comprises 34 aircraft and has the distinct advantage of possessing the strongest network across the Middle East.
A platform for sustained commercial operation has been established over the past three years as part of a multi-phased turnaround programme. It has also provided a framework for a succession of innovative products and services including the unique Sky Chefs and Sky Nannies that form part of Gulf Air’s ’smart airline, successful business’ vision.
International recognition has been achieved as a result of the turnaround programme leading to numerous awards for the airline’s innovative and high quality products and services: These include:
• Best Onboard Catering in First and Business Class (Skytrax World Airline Catering Awards 2005)
• Best designed in-flight magazine (American Creativity Awards,2005)
• Middle East Leading First Class Airline (World Travel Awards 2005)
• World’s Leading Airport Lounge (World Travel Awards 2005)
• Middle East & North African Platinum Best Airline (MENA Travel Awards 2004
• Most Improved Airline (Skytrax Awards 2004)
• Middle East First Class Airline (Arabian Business Awards)
• Best new product launch for in-flight services (PAX international Readership Awards)
• Best First Class Onboard Food (Skytrax Food Category 2004)
• Best Business Class Check-in (Skytrax Check-in Category 2004)
• Middle East region’s best airport restaurant for its restaurant in Bahrain International Airport lounge (PAX International Readership Awards 2005)
Official Airline and Sponsor of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2006
