It's interesting the fact that their own people screwed up their own country and consequently Gulf Air.
It seems that all 2007's events will come up again.
Starting a new airline with the same manpower will be a matter of time to the new airline be screwed up again.
Downsizing by 50% seems to be the best option, it will keep the local jobs since we have a good number of local captains and the first officers will be replaced by new beginners hence generating more jobs!
Politically speaking, foreigners were never welcome here.