From today's Gulf Daily News(Bahrain):
"Gulf Air yesterday promised a "full and frank account" of the crash that killed 143 people, exactly a year ago today.
Safety is the airline's first priority, said president and chief executive Ibrahim Al Hamer.
"We wish to express our sorrow and sympathies on this sad occasion," he said in an open letter issued yesterday afternoon.
Mr Al Hamer said the airline and all its employees were profoundly affected by the crash of Flight 072 from Cairo, which smashed into the sea just off Muharraq, on August 23 last year, killing all on board.
"Our thoughts and sympathies are still with the victims, and their families and friends, a year later," he continued.
Mr Al Hamer said that as long as a need existed, the airline would continue to extend to those most affected every assistance through its Family Care office, which was set up immediately after the incident and is staffed full time during office hours.
"Gulf Air also continues to make every effort to ensure a satisfactory conclusion to any outstanding issues, such as the compensation of victims' families," he added.
"This, in particular, has been both a complex and emotive matter. We hope that, through continued co-operation and dialogue with all the various parties involved, it can be resolved."
Mr Al Hamer said Gulf Air had continued to give its full co-operation to the Accident Investigation Board and was "committed to the publication of a full and frank account" of the causes of the crash.
He reiterated that safety remained a priority issue, in which Gulf Air had and would continue to strive for higher standards in all aspects of air passenger travel.
"Through the appointment of specialist consultants, such as Lufthansa Consulting, in February 2000, Gulf Air has set new safety standards in flight operations and procedures," said Mr Al Hamer.
He said Gulf Air was the first airline in the region to include the evaluation of non-technical abilities as an essential element in pilot selection procedures.
"Through a contractual arrangement with German-based DLR, one of the world's foremost independent organisations involved in the selection of operational aviation personnel, Gulf Air has adopted similar systematic pilot selection procedures to those of some of the world's leading airlines," said Mr Al Hamer.
A similar facility is to be provided from a base in Bahrain and will offer its services to airlines in the region.
"The principles of assessment and training that have been adopted for pilots will be extended to apply to other personnel as part of a broader programme within the airline to promote Crew Resource Management," he added.
Mr Al Hamer said the process was aimed at developing organisational activities through human resources management as opposed to technology driven management.
"This will help all our staff, who are already technically well trained, to be better mentally equipped to operate in high pressure and often critical situations, hence further improving safety and proficiency," he remarked.
Mr Al Hamer said Gulf Air's safety and operational standards were higher than international levels.
"But I must stress that there can and will not be any complacency - the continual process of improvement in our activities and operations will never stop," he added.
Mr Al Hamer thanked the governments of all the owner states of Gulf Air "for their understanding and support", as well as staff and passengers "for their loyalty and commitment during the past year"."
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