So then, a very sad day for our airline:
GULF AIR CHIEF QUITS
By MARK SUMMERS
MANAMA
MANAMA: Gulf Air president and chief executive Andre Dose resigned yesterday, plunging the airline into crisis.
Chairman Mahmood Kooheji, Mr Dose, board members and management officials were locked in talks until around 11pm last night, without conclusion.
They are due to meet again today, but as of last night, Mr Dose's resignation was still on the table. Sources said the resignation followed allegations made against the management team, but would not elaborate.
"With what happened this morning, the management had no choice but to resign, because they don't think it is a healthy situation to go forward with such allegations being made against them," they said.
"Mr Dose has submitted his resignation and the board does not have a clue what to do about it.
"The board of directors have not made a decision to accept the resignation or not.
"They do not have a clue when they wake up tomorrow morning who is going to manage the company, if Andre Dose does not.
"Nobody knows whether Gulf Air still has a chief executive. It is in limbo."
A Gulf Air official said directors and management had been in talks throughout the day.
"Gulf Air board of directors and Gulf Air management have been in constant meetings throughout the day, discussing various issues," said head of corporate affairs and of the president and chief executive's office, Hisham Abu Alfateh.
"Until 11pm, no decision has been made regarding most of what has been discussed and how to move forward.
"Therefore they both have decided to continue their discussions tomorrow."
The crisis comes days after Gulf Air confirmed that it was helping police with inquiries into a criminal investigation into suspected financial irregularities, spanning several years.
UK-based forensic auditors Kroll are also understood to be going through the airline's books with a fine toothcomb.
It is understood that Mr Dose had clashed with the board over his authority to run the airline.
Neither Mr Kooheji nor Mr Dose were available for comment last night.
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story...&IssueID=30125
Airline 'too weak to face competition'
GULF Air is so seriously weakened it is out of its depth in a highly competitive market, says an international aviation industry expert.
In its current state it could make sense for it to be "swallowed up" by a larger airline, said UK-based Jane's Transport Finance Jim Smith.
He said Bahrain's national carrier now lacked the "muscle" to take-on the larger airline's of neighbouring countries. Mr Smith described Dose's resignation as a "big blow" and said previous efforts to boost the carrier's fortunes had come to nothing.
"Gulf Air is sort of a minor player amongst people like Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways, so regardless of who is at the helm, Gulf Air is at a competitive disadvantage in competing with these larger guys," he said.
But Mr Smith said he was unsure whether Gulf Air's perilous finances made it likely that a larger regional carrier would attempt a take-over.
"I don't know whether it is likely or not - it depends on the willingness of the government to fund the airline," he said.
"As a strategic move, Gulf Air just doesn't have the muscle of an Emirates or an Etihad, or a Qatar. It would make sense from a strategic standpoint for it to be swallowed up."
Mr Smith also cast doubts as to the success of the high-profile 'Project Falcon' implemented by previous president and chief executive James Hogan - which saw the re-branding of the airline and the introduction of Sky Chefs and Sky Nannies.
"I don't think project Falcon has worked - it's more like Project Seagull," said the expert, adding that he believed doubts about Gulf Air's strategy had played a part in Mr Hogan's decision to leave the carrier.
"I think one of the reasons that James left was that he saw the idea of trying to turn Bahrain into a tourist haven and realised the chances are fairly slim that is going to happen.
"Particularly with what is happening in Dubai now. Qatar is trying to turn Doha into a Dubai. The third player in this is Bahrain - Doha might happen, it certainly won't be as big as Dubai, but Bahrain is not going to happen."
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/story...&IssueID=30125