A senior Oman Air delegation headed by Chairman of the Board, HE Said Hamdoon Al Harthy met with Gulf Air President and Chief Executive James Hogan and other senior airline executives at the airline’s headquarters in Bahrain.
Working discussions focused on areas of co-operation, including the network, the loyalty programme, common pricing, shared infrastructure, expansion of code sharing, and other opportunities to promote economic development and tourism in the airlines’ owner states.
Thanking the Chairman for his ongoing support and commitment, Mr Hogan said: “Following the withdrawal of Abu Dhabi, our strong relationship with Oman Air will be fundamental and definitive in the way we move forward. At a time when the airline industry is facing so many challenges, it is important that we refine our strategy to work even more closely in achieving synergies and creating economies of scale.”
“Working with the unconditional mandate and support of our owner states, we are finalizing an enhanced strategy to restructure our business to achieve the right shape and size for our target markets in the future.”
Mr Al Harthy reiterated Oman’s Air’s commitment to closer ties with Gulf Air: “As Gulf Air focuses on a two-hub strategy in Bahrain and in Muscat, it has the opportunity to embrace positive change, notably in the network, where in co-operation with Oman Air, it will be possible to bring in greater synergies in route planning, business operations and cost reduction to ensure the longer term prosperity of both airlines and the region.”
About Gulf Air
Founded in 1950, Gulf Air is presently owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is the only truly Pan Gulf carrier in the region.
More than half a century later, the regional, geographic and cultural values that the airline has embraced over more than half a century are still central in defining the brand and service ethos within the contemporary and global environment.
Today the airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 44 cities in 30 countries. The fleet comprises 34 aircraft.
Under President and Chief Executive James Hogan, the successful implementation of the first phase of a restructuring programme, which commenced in 2003, has resulted in the establishment of a platform for sustained commercial operation.
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 ‘boutique airline’ vision.
The dramatic turnaround in fortunes has won international recognition. 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, which recognised the airline’s commitment to service excellence. Other awards include:
Winner – Middle East Leading First Class Airline, World Travel Awards 2005
Winner – World’s Leading Airport Lounge, World Travel Awards 2005
Winner - Middle East & 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 2006
