and some more news - yield up 10%
From the UAE Khaleej Times(23/1):
"Gulf Air said that the ongoing restructuring of the airline is already showing results on the book with the yield up 10 per cent and good growth recorded in the number of passengers travelling with the airline. Luke Medley, Gulf Air's vice-president for services, who was in Dubai to address a staff meeting, said that the airline has been recording a 40 per cent growth in the number of people travelling with it in the first class and 30 per cent increase in the business class.
He also said that the airline is on schedule for the launch of its all-economy subsidiary from Abu Dhabi by June this year. The new airline will have its own livery and menu that would be impressive from the day one, he added. He also explained that the idea would not be to come out with a "cheap" airline, but with a value proposition for customers providing the best in the economy class. Medley said that once the customers tasted Gulf Air's economy class, they would want to have a feel of the business and first class, which is a major focus of the restructured airline company.
Asked if there would be duplication of flights going to the same destination for Gulf Air and its economy subsidiary, he said that there was no reason why there should not be as these would be two separate airlines targeting two different clientele. One of important destinations for the economy subsidiary would be the subcontinent, he added.
He also said that Gulf Air is in the process of launching a host of new services and products before the end of summer this year, while in Oman a large reservation centre in being set up. The reservation centre will have between 250 and 300 people working. New routes are also being introduced and the airline will fly to Sydney shortly. Some of the other new destinations would include Alexandria, Athens, Johannesburg and Salalah among others.
Medley said that Gulf Air's main focus will be on service and products in the future and their qualities, while a lot of stress would be given on customer retention. Branding would be another area of focus, while the airline will have a complete new look, both outside and inside in the very near future, he added.
He also talked about the menu and said that first class travellers to certain destinations would soon see chefs on board and an eight course menu. The menu for the economy class will be also very novel, added Medley. "We will try to provide enhanced customer satisfaction and being a Middle Eastern airline give our passengers the taste of the culture and hospitality of the region," he said."