Gulf Air startet Low Cost-Operation

[touchdown99]

Ist dann der zweite 767-300 Long Haul-LCC nach Australian Airlines. Zu ergänzen wäre noch, dass die Neugründung vor allem auf Gastarbeiter z.B. aus Indien oder Philippinen zielt, die in den UAE ihr Geld verdienen, und nicht auf europäische Touristen

 

"Abu Dhabi, 6 January 2003 - Gulf Air, the national airline of Bahrain, Oman and the UAE, has unveiled its plans to launch the region’s first ever full service, all economy airline, which will make its inaugural flight in June 2003 from its home base in Abu Dhabi.

 

The announcement was made at a press conference held in Abu Dhabi today, and according to James Hogan, President & Chief Executive of Gulf Air, the subsidiary airline will fully complement Gulf Air’s mainline offering by meeting the specific needs of leisure and expatriate employment segments.

 

“Different models of airline structures are becoming apparent in many parts of the world. Having looked at our customer profiles and demographic segmentation we see a tremendous opportunity to develop this operation, which we believe will suit the needs of a changing market,” he said. “With this offer, Gulf Air claims yet another regional first in line with our history of innovation and our entrepreneurial spirit as well as our commitment to going the extra mile for our customers with a terrific value proposition.”

 

As part of Gulf Air’s efforts to reclaim its position among the world’s premier airlines, the announcement follows the recent unanimous approval of the airline’s three-year strategic recovery plan, which was presented to Gulf Air’s Board of Directors at a meeting held in Bahrain last December.

 

In addition to a cash injection of US$ 238 million for this year and the continued deferral of government debt, the plan features a number of ‘pillars’, including brand development, fleet re-construction, Gulf Air’s network, alliances and customer service – as well as others, and a strong focus on profitability and cost structure improvements

 

Gulf Air is negotiating with a number of airframe manufactures to meet its mainline service aircraft requirements over the next 10 years. Over the short to medium term the leisure operation will served by Gulf Air’s fleet of nine Boeing 767-300ER wide-bodied jets. These will sport a new livery, will be reconfigured into an all economy cabin, will deliver a full service, and will hub in Abu Dhabi.

 

“The new airline will operate as part of the Gulf Air family under a new brand, and it is set to provide a customer proposition that is second-to-none with competitive costs combined with an efficient service for its targeted customers. Cost efficiencies will result from simplified processes and NOT from reduced customer service experience,” added Mr Hogan."