A delegation of senior Gulf Air executives headed by James Hogan, the airline’s President and Chief Executive, are in Paris for the air show at Le Bourget, which began yesterday and runs until the 16th.
Their visit to this event coincides with the next crucial step in the fleet restructuring and expansion strategy and airline officials confirmed that a formal request for proposal had been circulated to major airline manufacturers.
“In 2004, we achieved the objectives laid out in our initial three year restructuring strategy and have the basis to focus on restructuring the fleet,” said Mr Hogan. “To date the changes to the fleet have been incremental and aimed at meeting the needs of the network.
“The mixed fleet, which presently comprises 34 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus, will have to evolve to serve the changing needs of the market and to ensure that we can operate competitively.
“The challenges of the market and more significantly the price of fuel require our serious consideration, but cannot stop us from moving forward now to reshape our fleet. In discussion with both manufacturers, we have carefully defined our future criteria and requirements which are now outlined in the request for proposal which has been sent out.”
About Gulf Air
Gulf Air was founded in 1950. Today, it is owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain, Oman and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is the only truly pan Gulf carrier in the region. The airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 44 cities in 30 countries. The fleet is one of the most modern in the Middle East and comprises 34 aircraft.
The airline is in the last year of a three-year strategic recovery programme, headed by President and Chief Executive, James Hogan. The airline, which is making rapid strides towards regaining profitability in 2005, aims to further evolve by taking its renowned cultural strengths, which have been gained over more than half a century, into a global environment.
The dramatic turnaround in Gulf Air’s fortunes has won international recognition. In January 2004, The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) presented the airline with the prestigious Airline Turnaround of the Year Award for 2003. Gulf Air was also the recipient of the 2003 Platinum Award for the Best Airline in the Middle East and North Africa, recognising the airline’s commitment to service excellence.
Winner - Middle East and North African Platinum Best Airline Travel Award 2004
Winner - Skytrax Most Improved Airline Award 2004
Winner - Skytrax Best First Class Onboard Food Category 2004
Winner - Skytrax Best Business Class Check-in Category 2004
Official Airline and Sponsor of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2005
