Bahraini flag carrier Gulf Air said its chief executive officer Maher Salman Al Musallam has resigned.

In a brief statement on Sunday, the airline announced that the board of directors has accepted the resignation. No details concerning his succession or reasons for quitting were disclosed.

Al Musallam told our sister publication, the Gulf Daily News, that there was no particular reason for his decision: “I would like to retire as I have been with Gulf Air for seven plus years."

The announcement comes after Gulf Air appointed its new board of directors on May 14.

Al Musallam was appointed to the position of chief executive in May last year, after nearly fours years as acting chief executive, since December 2012.

He had joined Gulf Air as deputy chief executive officer after completing a 35-year career with the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF).

During his tenure at the RBAF, he has held a number of high-ranking positions including Squadron Commander and Wing Commander where he was responsible for the daily management and emergency deployment of over 10 operational units including flying, maintenance, logistics and administration.

A seasoned aviation professional, Al Musallam had, 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 statement quoted Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister and Gulf Air's board Zayed Bin Rashid Alzayani as saying: “On behalf of Gulf Air’s board of directors and the airline’s executive management team and workforce, I extend my sincerest thanks to Mr Al Musallam for his invaluable contributions and achievements delivered during his tenure with the airline. We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.” - TradeArabia News Service