Gulf Air
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| Gulf Air | ||
|---|---|---|
| IATA GF |
ICAO GFA |
Callsign GULF AIR |
| Founded | 1950 | |
| Hubs | Bahrain International Airport Seeb International Airport |
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| Frequent flyer program | Gulf Air Frequent Flyer Programme | |
| Member lounge | First and Business Class Lounge (no member lounges) | |
| Fleet size | 34 | |
| Destinations | 47 | |
| Headquarters | Manama, Bahrain | |
| Key people | André Dosé | |
| Website: http://www.gulfairco.com | ||
Gulf Air (Arabic: طيران الخليج) is the national carrier for the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman. The airline operates a fleet of 34 aircraft to 47 destinations in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. Gulf Air's hubs are Bahrain International Airport (BAH) and Seeb International Airport (MCT). The company's logo features a golden falcon.
The airline is not part of an airline alliance but is part of the oneworld global explorer fare. It has extensive codeshare services with other airlines and special partnerships with Jet Airways and Oman Air's Frequent Flyer Programmes.
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[edit] History
In the late 1940s, Freddie Bosworth (a British pilot) began an air taxi service to Doha and Dhahran from Bahrain. Bosworth later expanded this service and on the 24 March 1950, he registered Gulf Aviation as a private share-holding company. Seven Avro Ansons and 3 de Havilland DH.86B 4-engine biplanes formed the fleet, but more modern aircraft were needed. Bosworth chose the de Havilland Dove but while preparing to introduce the type into service he was killed on a demonstration flight at Croydon on 9 June 1951.
From 1951 to 1971, British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) became a major shareholder in Gulf Aviation, holding a 22% stake. Gulf Aviation began services to London in April 1970 with a Vickers VC10 and, with the introduction of BOAC, saw a succession of updated aircraft entering the fleet. The turning point for Gulf Aviation came when the governments of the Kingdom of Bahrain, State of Qatar, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the Sultanate of Oman purchased BOAC's shares in Gulf Aviation. Under the Foundation Treaty signed on 1 January 1974 creating a national carrier of the four States, the airline became Gulf Air.
With leased L-1011 Tri-Star and Boeing 737s joining the fleet, by 1976 Gulf Air had expanded its route network to include: Amman, Amsterdam, Athens, Baghdad, Bangkok, Beirut, Cairo, Colombo, Delhi, Dhaka, Hong Kong, Jeddah, Khartoum, Larnaca, Manila, Paris, Ras Al Khaimah and Sanaa. The fleet comprised 4 Vickers VC10s, 3 BAC One-Elevens, 2 Lockheed Tri-Star 200s and 5 Boeing 737-200s. Two years later the Tri-Star fleet had doubled, replacing the VC10s, and the Boeing 737s had increased to 9, resulting in the phasing out of the One-Elevens.
The 1980s saw an increase in air travel and growth for Gulf Air. In 1981 Gulf Air became an IATA member and in the following year became the first international airline to land at Riyadh. In 1988 the Boeing 767s joined the fleet and services to Frankfurt, Istanbul, Damascus, Dar Es-Salaam, Fujairah and Nairobi were launched, with services to Shiraz and Baghdad resumed.
Gulf Air celebrated its 40th anniversary in 1990. The light blue and peach Balenciaga-designed uniform was introduced. Singapore, Sydney and Trivandrum were launched and Gulf Air became the first Arab airline to fly to Australia. Gulf Air added Johannesburg and Melbourne to its network (1992), becoming the first Arab airline to fly directly to these cities. The following year it opened up a Flight Simulator Centre in Qatar. The same year saw the introduction of services to Casablanca, Entebbe, Jakarta, Kilimanjaro, Madras, Rome, Sanaa, Zanzibar and Zurich.
In May 1994, Gulf Air received its first A340-300. Gulf Air introduced a no-smoking policy on flights to Singapore and Australia in 1998 which later extended throughout its whole network. In 1999, Gulf Air also launched three new routes in North Pakistan: Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar. It also took delivery of two (out of six) A330-200 aircraft and a new Balmain uniform was introduced.
[edit] 21st century
In 2000 the airline celebrated its 50th Anniversary and took delivery of the remaining A330-200 aircraft in June of that year, it also launched services to Milan. In May 2002, James Hogan was announced President and CEO of Gulf Air and instigated a three year restructuring and turnaround programme, which was launched in response to a drastic fall in profits at the company and ever-increasing debt. The Gulf Air Board unanimously approved the three-year recovery plan at the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 18 December. This month also saw the withdrawal of the State of Qatar from Gulf Air.
In 2003 Gulf Air introduced a new Landor designed livery. June 1st 2003 saw the birth of Gulf Traveller, a subsidiary all-economy full-service airline.
Gulf Air also announced a sponsorship deal for the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix which will last until 2010. This deal created the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, of which the first was staged in 2004. Gulf Air also introduced direct daily flights to Athens and Sydney on the 23 November 2003.
In 2004, Gulf Air introduced direct flights between Dubai and London and Muscat and London, and a daily service between Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah and showed strong growth as it carried a record 7.5 million passengers during this year. Gulf Air's sponsorship of the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix continued to prove worthehile for the airline, with a record crowd, a global TV audience as well as a record number of passengers being carried to the Kingdom by the airline.
A return to profit was announced, with the best financial performance since 1997. Despite a BD30 million (USD80 million) cost to the business through fuel price rises during the year, Gulf Air recorded a profit of BD1.5 million (USD4.0 million) in the calendar year to December 2004, on revenues up 23.8% to BD476.3 million (USD1.26 billion) (2003: BD 384.6 million / USD1,020.2 million). The results meant the airline out-performed the targets set under Project Falcon, the three-year restructuring plan approved by the Board in December 2002.
The owner states of Gulf Air at that time - the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the Sultanate of Oman - confirmed their support for further expansion of the airline, through a new three-year strategic plan which would include re-equipment of the aircraft fleet and recapitalisation of the business through private sector financing. Gulf Air is also placed on the IOSA registry following its successful completion of the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA).
[edit] 2006 Onward
The new summer schedule commencing 28 April 2006 saw the complete withdrawal of Abu Dhabi (AUH) as a hub following the decision on the 13 September 2005, by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, to withdraw from Gulf Air and establish its own airline, Etihad. Gulf Air now operates on a dual hub basis between Bahrain (BAH) and Muscat (MCT) airports. The airline produced a series of adverts in local newspapers thanking Abu Dhabi for its contribution to Gulf Air. Due to the airline being the national carrier for the United Arab Emirates for over 35 years, it has a large customer base located in this country. Gulf Air endeavoured to show the continuing support for flights to Abu Dhabi from Bahrain and Muscat, connecting to the rest of the Gulf Air network via adverts placed in local newspapers.
Gulf Air has an aircraft simulator facility at its Bahrain Headquarters. The BD3.5 million facility will offer real-time, simulated on-board training to pilots on Boeing B767, Airbus A320 and A330/340 in three flight simulators.
On the 27 April 2006, the Governments of Bahrain and Thailand signed an 'Open Skies' agreement which allowed an unlimited and unrestricted number of flights between the two nations. Gulf Air operates daily flights to Bangkok from Bahrain, with four flights a week from Muscat. With this new agreement in place, Gulf Air will double its frequency to Thailand by July 2006, with 14 flights a week between Bahrain and Thailand.
James Hogan resigned his position as President and Chief Executive Officer (PCE) as of October 1st, 2006, and has since taken the position of CEO at rival airline Etihad Airways. Ahmed Al Hammadi was named acting CEO until the appointment on January 31st, 2007 of Swiss national André Dosé. A former CEO of Swiss airlines Crossair and Swiss, he will take over as Gulf Air CEO on April 1st 2007.
Recently the government of Bahrain has claimed an 80% stake in the airline. This has long been suspected, which will result in Gulf air being wholly owned by the kingdom of Bahrain, whilst the Omani government would invest in its state carrier Oman air
[edit] Destinations
See full article: Gulf Air destinations
[edit] Fleet
The Gulf Air Fleet consists of the following aircraft as of August 2006:[1]
| Aircraft | Total | Passengers (First/Business/Economy) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbus A320-200 | 10 | 136 (0/16/120) | |
| Airbus A330-200 | 6 | 215 (8/24/183) | |
| Airbus A340-300 | 9 | ||
| Boeing 767-300ER | 9 |
6 aircraft operated by Gulf Traveller |
Gulf Air average fleet age is 11.4 years old in February 2007.
[edit] Frequent Flyer Programme
In 2003, Gulf Air launched the Gulf Air Frequent Flyer Programme (FFP), replacing the Falcon Frequent Flyer programme.
The frequent flyer programme also won four awards at the 17th Annual Freddie Awards. These awards are decided by frequent travellers.
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- 1st Place - Best Award Redemption, Frequent Flyer Programme, Europe/Middle East/Africa
- 3rd Place - Best Customer Service, Frequent Flyer Programme, Europe/Middle East/Africa
- 3rd Place - Best Award, Frequent Flyer Programme, Europe/Middle East/Africa
- 4th Place - Best Website, Frequent Flyer Programme, Europe/Middle East/Africa
Gulf Air offers frequent flyer partnerships with the following airlines:
Gulf Air also offers frequent flyer partnerships with the following car rental agencies:
[edit] Program levels
Gulf Air FFP members are entitled to the following benefits listed below. These benefits do not apply to Family Members.
- Blue Card
- 10 kg Extra Baggage Allowance
- Silver Card
- Check-In at Premium Desks
- Lounge Access
- 15 kg Extra Baggage Allowance
- Priority Baggage Handling
- Gold Card
- Check-In at Premium Desks
- Lounge Access + 1 Guest
- 20 kg Extra Baggage Allowance
- Priority Baggage Handling
[edit] Codeshare agreements
[edit] Subsidiaries
- Gulf Cargo
- Gulf Holidays
- Gulf Traveller
[edit] Sponsored events
Gulf Air sponsors many events, of which the most prestigious is the Gulf Air Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix. This is usually the first race of the Formula One season and is held in March or April of each year.
23-25 April 2006: 7th Omani Song Festival. This festival was aimed at spreading awareness and promoting Oman’s musical and cultural heritage. Venue: Al Bustan Palace Hotel, Oman.
[edit] Livery
Old [Before 2003] - Predominantly white with a smaller golden falcon at the tail on a background of red, green and maroon stripes which represented the original four owner states of the Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and the UAE.
New [Since 2003] - Fully gold at the front portion with white after it. A large redesigned falcon at the tail completes the new look Gulf Air projects.[2]
[edit] Fleet refurbishment
Gulf is undergoing a fleet refurbishment and considering either Boeing 787s or Airbus A350s on option, to replace its Boeing 767 aircraft which are to be phased out by 2009.
[edit] A330 Interior refurbishment
The fleet of A330 aircraft underwent refurbishment which was completed in June 2005. All A330 aircraft now have the Gulf Air Sky Beds in First and Business Class Cabins.
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- The First Class cabin seating configuration is 1-2-1 and accommodates 8 passengers. It has an 80-inch pitch and 25-inch width bed with 180-degree recline. The Class 180 seat also converts to a full size bed. Individual screen size: 15-inch.
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- The Business Class cabin seating configuration is 2-2-2 and accommodates 24 passengers. It has an 63-inch pitch and 24-inch width bed with 163-degree recline. Individual screen size: 10.4-inch.
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- The Economy Class cabin seating configuration is 2-4-2 and accommodates 183 passengers. It has a 32-34-inch pitch and 18-inch seat width with 102-degree recline. Individual screen size: 6.5-inch.
[edit] A340 Interior refurbishment
Part of the A340 fleet underwent refurbishment which was compleated in August 2006. The A340-312 (Version A) aircraft still have not been refurbished although all A340-300 aircraft now have the Gulf Air Sky Beds in First and Business Class Cabins.
A340-300 Details (Version B)
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- The First Class cabin seating configuration is 1-2-1 and accommodates 8 passengers. It has an 80-inch pitch and 25-inch width bed with 180-degree recline. The Class 180 seat also converts to a full size bed. Individual screen size: 15-inch.
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- The Business Class cabin seating configuration is 2-2-2 and accommodates 24 passengers. It has an 73-inch pitch and 24-inch width bed with 169-degree recline. Individual screen size: 10.4-inch.
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- The Economy Class cabin seating configuration is 2-4-2 and accommodates 217 passengers. It has a 32-34-inch pitch and 18-inch seat width with 102-degree recline. Individual screen size: 6.5-inch.
[edit] Incidents and accidents
23 September 1983
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- Location: Near Mina Jebel Ali, UAE
- Flight #: GF771
- Route: Karachi - Abu Dhabi
- Air Craft Type: Boeing B-737-2P6
- Registration: A40-BK
- Aboard: 112 (passengers:107 crew:5)
- Fatalities: 112 (passengers:107 crew:5)
- Summary: The aircraft crashed into the desert after a distress message and during an emergency landing attempt. This was due to the detonation of an explosive device in the baggage compartment.
23 August 2000
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- Location: Coast of Manama, Bahrain
- Flight #: GF072
- Route: Cairo - Bahrain
- Air Craft Type: Airbus A320-212
- Registration: A4O-EK
- Aboard: 143 (passengers:135 crew:8)
- Fatalities: 143 (passengers:135 crew:8)
- Summary: The aircraft crashed into the Persian Gulf while attempting to land at Bahrain International Airport. The crew decided to perform a missed approach after it was determined the aircraft was coming in too high and fast. Instructions were given for a 180 degree turn and climb to 2,500 feet. While performing the missed approach the plane suddenly descended rapidly from an altitude of 1,000 feet and crashed into the shallow waters of the gulf approximately 1 mile from the airport.
15 November 2005
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- Location: Damascus Airport, Syria
- Route: Damascus to Bahrain
- Fatalities: 0 (passengers:0 crew:0)
- Summary: Six women and a child were detained at Damascus airport because it appeared to the Syrian Security Forces that they were trying to smuggle gun parts hidden in a child's toy on to a Gulf Air flight to Australia, via Bahrain. Four Australian Iraqi-born women, a young boy and two Iraqi women were detained by Syrian authorities as they tried to board the flight. After further investigation, the "gun parts" turned out to be bullets. The child had been playing at a relative's house in Iraq where there were stray bullets on the floor and some were placed into the toy by the child. Although the family was detained for a number of days, they were all released without charge and travelled on to Australia.
[edit] References
- ^ Flight International, 3-9 October 2006
- ^ http://www.flug-revue.rotor.com/FRheft/FRH0306/FR0306g.htm
3. [1]
[edit] External links
- Gulf Air
- Gulf Air Careers
- Gulf Air Cargo
- Gulf Air Holidays
- Gulf Traveller
- PSA For Gulf Air In North America
- Gulf Air Fleet age
- Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix
- Arab Air Carriers Organisation
Afriqiyah Airways • Air Algérie • Air Arabia • EgyptAir • Emirates • Etihad Airways • Gulf Air • Iraqi Airways • Jordan Aviation • Kuwait Airways • Libyan Airways • Middle East Airlines • Oman Air • Palestinian Airlines • Qatar Airways • Royal Air Maroc • Royal Jordanian • Saudi Arabian Airlines • Sudan Airways • Syrian Arab Airlines • Trans Mediterranean Airways • Tunisair • Yemenia
