Here's a tasty titbit from todays GDN
[quote] New push to lift airport services . .
BRITON Ray Sayer will take over as chief executive of Bahrain Airport Services (BAS) next month, it was revealed yesterday.
He will succeed Khalil Zaman, who retires on April 1, after a career with BAS spanning more than 20 years.
The BAS board, chaired by Transportation Minister Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, thanked Mr Zaman for his hard work, dedication and loyalty, while welcoming Mr Sayer.
"The board expressed its appreciation to Mr Zaman for his outstanding services, which contributed substantially to the growth and development of the company," BAS board member and executive committee chairman Jamil Wafa said yesterday.
He said Mr Zaman was a "tower of strength" for the company. "The board has been looking for a suitable professional candidate to succeed him and we have been fortunate to find the right man," Mr Wafa told the GDN.
"Mr Sayer, 51, a British Airways' veteran, has 28 years' experience with airlines and airports around the world."
He will assume his new position on February 1.
Mr Sayer also spent 18 months in Bahrain as Gulf Air's vice president-commercial, so he is familiar with the Bahrain market and the services offered by Bahrain International Airport, said Mr Wafa.
He said Mr Sayer would focus on the training and development of Bahrainis, especially on preparing them to assume senior positions.
"BAS currently employs 1,720 people, of whom 80 per cent are Bahrainis," he revealed.
"Mr Sayer will also undertake an intensive marketing of Bahrain International Airport as the main hub for many carriers, particularly because we lost two carriers in the past six months.
"His appointment comes at a time when, unfortunately, some of the airlines have taken advantage of the September 11 episode to get special concessions in fees at our airport."
Mr Wafa revealed that BAS had already reduced the ground handling fees for airlines operating to Bahrain from last November to March this year.
Mr Sayer said he considered the new position very challenging. "As customer service is the key to service industries, I shall focus on enhancing the overall standard of services provided by BAS to its customers," he added.
"I shall work with Civil Aviation Affairs, trying to attract more carriers to Bahrain Airport, which has not increased its handling fees for the past 18 years.
"We shall try to attract more charter flights operating to the Far East and India, to make Bahrain their stop."
Senior
Mr Sayer's career with British Airways has taken him to Miami, Riyadh, Kuwait, Bombay, Istanbul, Hong Kong, Doha, Bucharest, Damascus, Brunei and Zimbabwe, besides London.
He has held senior positions there either as airport manager or area manager.
During 1991-93, he was senior general manager at Gatwick Airport, which employs 6,000 people. He was responsible there for a wide range of services related to the handling of 35 aircraft.
Mr Sayer also served as the managing director of the UK-registered GB Airways during 1993-94.
His services were also seconded by BA to Brymon Airways in Plymouth and for Deutsche BA in Munich, Germany.
While working in Riyadh in 1977, Mr Sayer was a frequent visitor to BA's regional office in Bahrain.
Four years ago, he was in Bahrain again to work for Gulf Air. After 18 months, he moved from Bahrain to the Carribean Islands and from his base at Antigua he managed the operations of Liat airlines.
"I am deeply honoured to come back to Bahrain and shall do my best to justify the confidence placed in me by the BAS board," said Mr Sayer.
"One of my first priorities will be to train Bahrainis to take up more senior positions in the company." . . . . <hr></blockquote>
It would be better to have trained Bahrainis in management positions than imposed ones.. .I wish Ray all the best and just hope he lasts a bit longer this time <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">