The Bahraini national carrier is embarking on an era of expansion adding 39 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft into its fleet to "give wings to its ambitious plan to expand to over 60 destinations by 2023 covering the key markets of Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa, the Indian Subcontinent and, ultimately, North America."

To begin with, five Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and two Airbus A320neo aircraft will be entering service by year-end.

Focusing on its prime market India, Gulf Air will be launching flights to two major south Indian cities - the IT hub Bengaluru and 'Land of spices' Kozhikode - thus complementing its current services to Delhi, Chennai, Kochi, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram and Hyderabad. 

In the regional circles, Gulf Air will boosting its presence in the Saudi market with flights to two key destinations - Abha and Tubuk, enhancing its current service to Dammam, Riyadh, Madinah, Jeddah and Gassim. 

 

Its operations to Egytian capital Cairo will be supplemented by direct flights to Alexandria and flights to Sharm El Shaikh. The airline will also launch operations to Baku in Azerbaijan and Casablanca in Morocco.

 

Zayed Bin Rashid Alzayani, the chairman of Gulf Air’s board of directors, said: “Our national carrier is an integral part of Bahrain's economy and a critical component of its aviation infrastructure. Gulf Air’s future plans bode well for the country's aviation, transport and tourism infrastructures and the kingdom as a whole.”

 

He was addressing a gala dinner event held at The Gulf Hotel, Manama to announce Gulf Air's five-year growth plan, It was attended by CEO Krešimir Kučko along with leading government officials, dignitaries, trade and corporate partners, Falconflyer members, the airline’s workforce and other senior company representatives. 

 

Alzayani said reducing the losses was a vital step, together with the relentless commitment to boost its services, fleet and network with the opening of new strategic routes. "This has been made possible due to the determination and passion of Gulf Air's workforce and management team who are working towards realising this plan for the airline's future," he noted.

 

"With this development, major positive change is on the horizon. Gulf Air’s new fleet will be outfitted with superior on-board products and services (some of the best in class: seats, Inflight Entertainment and much more). With aspirations to be best in class across both its wide and narrow body fleet, Gulf Air’s new business class offering will compete with the first class standard of other airlines while its economy class product will afford enhanced onboard comfort," he added.

 

On the new plan, Kučko said the new hitech fleet along with the best in-class products and service will pave the way for Gulf Air’s growth and expansion. This will have a positive impact on the entire kingdom, thus cementing its role as the regional airline of choice with a global footprint and best in class. 

 

Gulf Air, he stated, is committed to being an industry leader, continually enhancing its services and tailoring a product offering that best fits its passengers’ needs.

"2018 represents the beginning of a new era for Gulf Air and Bahrain. In 2018 and beyond, the airline will challenge the traditional definition of travel, broadening its scope and making it more convenient and appealing for every traveller," Kucko said.
 

"As a proudly Bahraini enterprise, operating in the interests of Bahrain, people look at Gulf Air today and see much more than an airline. They see a national carrier, a local employer, a tourism driver and a link to our business partners and political allies across the globe," remarked Kučko. 

 

"They see an airline that, like all airlines around the world, reflects and supports its country and economy. We believe Gulf Air’s pioneering legacy, which dates back to our establishment in 1950, will continue to positively shape our future," he added.

 

Gulf Air recently carried out a strategic 360 degree assessment of its business. This included looking into how the airline can best nurture and develop its network, fleet, product, workforce, customers and much more. 

 

Addressing the gathering, Kucko said plans were in place to roll out a new brand identity very soon.

"The new look and feel for Gulf Air will, alongside its new fleet, new network, new products and services, represent the Gulf Air of Tomorrow," remarked the airline chief.
 
Shedding light on the national carrier’s more long term development he said that the airline’s planned strategic growth in the years 2019-2023 will see it strengthening its regional base and then supplementing that with an expanded network that will reach various points across the globe.

 

Kučko also outlined the key pillars of the new corporate strategy - safety, network growth, innovation, hman resources, customer focus, revenue vs cost and most significantly the national carrier’s role "as a contributor and key driver of the local economy as it promotes the kingdom globally and operates as its ambassador worldwide."

 

"Alongside this, frequency changes to key routes in 2018 will enhance Gulf Air’s offering of seamless movement to and from the Kingdom of Bahrain – and across its network," stated the top official. 

 

"Gulf Air will increase its flights during the peak summer period by 200 more weekly flights compared to 2017," he added.-TradeArabia News Service