Bahrain Air, the private national carrier of the Kingdom, participated as a full member of International Air Transport Association (IATA) at its 68th annual general meeting and World Air Transport Summit held in Beijing.

Many representatives from IATA's member airlines, industry associate partners, international and regional associations, leading manufacturers, industry suppliers and international media attended this meeting.

The meeting, IATA's pre-eminent event, provides a focus for emerging industry issues and a forum for members to meet and network, said a statement from the Bahrain carrier.

Richard Nuttall, the CEO of Bahrain Air attended the key meeting in Beijing where the airline was presented with a plaque to commemorate its joining of IATA.

Nuttall said, “This is a historic moment for a young airline like Bahrain Air. Going forward, membership of IATA will allow us to build on our professionalism and improve our distribution, while working with other IATA carriers to provide a better service for Bahrain and the communities we serve.”

Hosted by Air China, the AGM focused on discussions of some of the economic and other challenges facing the aviation industry which is squeezed between high oil prices and still fragile profitability.

Bahrain Air currently serves 18 destinations from the Kingdom using its modern A320 and A319 aircraft, offering both business premium class and economy class, free baggage allowance and complimentary meals.

A premium value carrier, Bahrain Air plays a major role in linking Bahrain, the financial center of the Middle East, to major cities in the GCC, the Levant, North Africa and the Indian Sub-Continent, with fast and economical point-to-point services.-TradeArabia News Service