"This airline did not die due to non viable commercial moves, it died because of corruption, neglect and outright good old fashioned thievery.... you forgot to mention nepotism.....This Toy is going to save GF and take the market share from these guys..... told you that those brazilian jets are defective!"
May all the above affirmatives to be correct, may be not.
Gulf Air has a history yes, but many other airlines with bright histories have died during the slow process to absorb changes needed. To change and get rid of old habits pointed out above, is extremely dangerous and sad. Many people get used to the benefits only, and don't want to have open hands and minds to put efforts and make the company survive.
Looking from outside, the history repeats itself... always... a change in attitude is needed specially from those insiders that do not care or do not believe in a different fate.
GF is squeezed among big airlines from countries with bigger governmental resources to keep them, not only because they are profitable, Companies that serve as backbones to small states sharing jobs and globalization, developing business around it.
GF needs of course to change the focus of operation and rationalization, bringing embraer's... let's say.... 195's they can use the traffic offered in the middle east in better way, i don't want to compare Embraer's, Boeings, or Airbuses... they are made for different markets, but the jungle jet is affordable, safe, efficient and cheap... with good break even. Come on people, The CEO of Gulf Air is dealing with really bad stuff... just read at the top of this message. Many others will try to take the guy off GF.
Good luck
Duster