Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air, the official carrier of the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS), took to the skies for the 3 day event’s daily flying display with one of the airline’s Airbus A330 aircraft.

Gulf Air is participating in two daily flying displays,first alongside the Bahrain Defense Force Fighter Jets (four BDF F16 fighters and four F5 fighters)and secondly with a solo display of the Gulf Air Airbus A330.

Flying at an altitude of 200ft and a speed of 280 knots in the group flying display and then 140 knots for the solo flying display, the aircraft flew over the BIAS’s Sakhir event-ground to the applause of thousands of guests.

The Airbus A330 has a maximum take-off weight of 230,000 kgsand can carry up to 375 passengers.

Today’s flying display was performed by three of Gulf Air’s most experienced crew members led by captain Aud Ahmed AlTauqi, Gulf Air manager (Operations Compliance & Documentation) along with senior captain Raoof AbdulAziz Al Alawi and technical pilot Nader Adel Mohammed Sharif. Combined they have over 30,000 flying hours between them.

“It is an honor to be a part of the Gulf Air flying display at the Bahrain International Airshow 2014 and a true thrill not only for those of us in the air, but also for the observers – judging from the positive reaction of the crowds!” remarked Gulf Air captain Aud Ahmed AlTauqi.