Gulf Air is to maintain a commitment to Europe following a new strategy designed to make the carrier a sustainable and profitable business by 2012.
Under the new strategy, the fleet composition will focus primarily on narrow-body aircraft and regional jets.
This will include a number of long-range narrow-body aircraft which will connect the airline’s Bahrain hub to key financial centres in both Europe and Asia.
Chief commercial officer Willy Boulter said: “Questions have been raised as to Gulf Air’s commitment to Europe under the new strategy.
“Gulf Air fully intends to continue flying to all our strategic European points in London, Frankfurt, Paris, Istanbul, Athens and Larnaca.”
He revealed that the carrier plans to strengthen its presence in Europe “in the not too distant future” by “leveraging Bahrain’s position as the financial hub of the Gulf and connecting it with leading financial centres in Europe”.
Boulter added: “Expansion into Europe becomes more viable, under the new strategy, not less.”
He continued: “Our priority is to provide our customers with a reliable, convenient, professional and value driven service".
“Our new-look international network will reflect our customers’ needs and enable us to consolidate and expand our existing position as the carrier with the largest number of Middle East connections through our efficient Bahrain Airport hub.”
