newswatcher
8th May 2003, 18:38
http://www.gulfnews.com/images/2003/05/hi/08_glfair.jpg
From the UAE Gulf News(8/5):
Gulf Air yesterday launched Gulf Traveller, an all-economy class brand for South Asian destinations, to be operational from June 1. Gulf Traveller has a totally new design and livery.
Initially, six Boeing 767s have been decorated and refurbished to launch the brand, a Gulf Air subsidiary.
It has been launched at the Arabian Travel Market as part of the carrier's recovery plan, which its officials said will help them to manage capacity, load and inventory in a better way.
Gulf Air will also use Abu Dhabi as a hub for operating the Gulf Traveller fleet, said James Hogan, Gulf Air's president and chief executive.
Last year, Abu Dhabi announced its plan to launch a separate airline.
The plan seems to have been shelved, after its board approved a three-year recovery plan for the loss-making carrier. The carrier reduced its loss to 41 million Bahraini dinars last year, down by 8.4 million dinars from the previous year.
It is planning to use Abu Dhabi as a second gateway to the UAE as well.
The Abu Dhabi government is investing heavily in upgrading its civil aviation facilities and constructing its second terminal as part of facilitating increased traffic.
"Today we are launching Gulf Air's new livery, Gulf Traveller, which we believe will change the face of aviation business in this part of the world. It is a unique product in this part of the world," said Hogan.
"Gulf Traveller is the next stage of the new business model that we are introducing to destinations in the Indian Subcontinent. The Gulf Traveller fleet will carry passengers from Abu Dhabi via Bahrain or Oman to onward destinations in the Indian Subcontinent."
With this, Hogan claimed that the carrier is "back in business".
Gulf Traveller is not a budget or no-frills airline. It is a fully-serviced all-economy class carrier, he noted.
"We will maintain the same economy class fare across both the brands and won't offer cheaper rates. It is not going to be a cheaper carrier, but a competitive one," he stressed.
From the UAE Gulf News(8/5):
Gulf Air yesterday launched Gulf Traveller, an all-economy class brand for South Asian destinations, to be operational from June 1. Gulf Traveller has a totally new design and livery.
Initially, six Boeing 767s have been decorated and refurbished to launch the brand, a Gulf Air subsidiary.
It has been launched at the Arabian Travel Market as part of the carrier's recovery plan, which its officials said will help them to manage capacity, load and inventory in a better way.
Gulf Air will also use Abu Dhabi as a hub for operating the Gulf Traveller fleet, said James Hogan, Gulf Air's president and chief executive.
Last year, Abu Dhabi announced its plan to launch a separate airline.
The plan seems to have been shelved, after its board approved a three-year recovery plan for the loss-making carrier. The carrier reduced its loss to 41 million Bahraini dinars last year, down by 8.4 million dinars from the previous year.
It is planning to use Abu Dhabi as a second gateway to the UAE as well.
The Abu Dhabi government is investing heavily in upgrading its civil aviation facilities and constructing its second terminal as part of facilitating increased traffic.
"Today we are launching Gulf Air's new livery, Gulf Traveller, which we believe will change the face of aviation business in this part of the world. It is a unique product in this part of the world," said Hogan.
"Gulf Traveller is the next stage of the new business model that we are introducing to destinations in the Indian Subcontinent. The Gulf Traveller fleet will carry passengers from Abu Dhabi via Bahrain or Oman to onward destinations in the Indian Subcontinent."
With this, Hogan claimed that the carrier is "back in business".
Gulf Traveller is not a budget or no-frills airline. It is a fully-serviced all-economy class carrier, he noted.
"We will maintain the same economy class fare across both the brands and won't offer cheaper rates. It is not going to be a cheaper carrier, but a competitive one," he stressed.