The board of directors of Bahrain's national carrier Gulf Air has announced the appointment of Maher Salman Jabber Al Musallam as the carrier's new chief executive officer.

Al Musallam joined Gulf Air as deputy chief executive officer and has been at the helm of the airline, as acting chief executive officer, since December 2012. A seasoned aviation professional, Al Musallam has, with Gulf Air's executive management team, spearheaded the national carrier's 2013 restructuring strategy to deliver groundbreaking results - most significantly the record reduction in the airline's annual losses.

The announcement is a direct result of Al Musallam and Gulf Air's executive management team efforts leading to three consecutive years of landmark achievements - a true turnaround for Bahrain's national carrier that now opens up the airline to new growth and development opportunities.

Speaking on his appointment and vision for Gulf Air, Al Musallam said: "This is a responsibility that I do not take lightly - I am honoured to continue serving Bahrain's national carrier and, with the airline's executive management team's ongoing support and efforts, realising its ongoing positive transformation. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the airline's Board of Directors and the Bahraini government for entrusting us with this responsibility that we highly appreciate"

Gulf Air's Board of Directors additionally instated Sahar Ataei as chief financial officer; Ahmed Janahi as chief commercial officer and Jamal Hashim as chief technical officer in recognition of their efforts and contributions towards the national carrier's turnaround over the past three years. - TradeArabia News Service