Gulf Traveller Confirm Birmingham-Abu Dhabi Service in 2005
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Gulf Traveller Confirm Birmingham-Abu Dhabi Service in 2005
GULF AIR'S ALL-ECONOMY SUBSIDIARY EXPANDS INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
3 Sep,2004
Gulf Traveller to Commence Daily Direct Flights
From Abu Dhabi to Birmingham in 2005
Abu Dhabi, UAE: Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Emirate of Abu
Dhabi, Kingdom of Bahrain and Sultanate of Oman today announced the
expansion of its international network with the introduction of non-stop
flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Birmingham International
Airport, commencing early next year.
The new route will be operated by Gulf Traveller, the airline's all-economy
full service subdivision, which operates extensively throughout the Arabian
Gulf region, the Indian Subcontinent and Far East Asia. Since its
establishment in June 2003, the successful division has contributed
significantly to Gulf Air's strengthened financial position and strong
performance.
The addition of the direct flights to Birmingham will further bolster Gulf
Traveller's position, which in the first six months of this year registered
pleasing growth with an average seat factor of 75 per cent.
Flights start on 1 April 2005 and will be operated with a Boeing 767-300ER.
The Abu Dhabi to Birmingham service will commence with four services per
week (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) until 20 June when
frequencies will be increased to a daily operation.
James Hogan, President and Chief Executive at Gulf Air said the new service
is a further illustration of Gulf Air's commitment to provide the best
possible service to its customers.
"We've done our research. The service will offer the shortest elapsed time
between the UK's industrial heartland and Abu Dhabi. The schedule has been
planned to provide improved connections to major Indian Sub-Continent and
Far East Asian destinations, and will therefore meet the travel requirements
of vacationers as well as businessmen in all three centres, enhancing
commercial and leisure travel links. In addition, overseas students
attending universities in the centre of England and the Asian communities in
this region will also benefit," he said.
The addition of the Abu Dhabi to Birmingham service increases Gulf Air's
daily direct flights from the Gulf to the UK to six. Gulf Air currently
operates five daily flights from the Gulf to London Heathrow, and the
addition of the Birmingham service will bring the number of weekly flights
operated by the airline to 41.
James Hogan expects a rapid uptake of this service. "Business and leisure
travellers are looking for every opportunity to fly from Birmingham
International Airport, which avoids the delays usually associated with
journeys to Heathrow, especially from the north of London," he said.
Birmingham International Airport is the UK's second largest airport outside
London, and the UK's fifth largest overall. It is located to the north-west
of the City of Birmingham which lies at the industrial heart of England.
Birmingham is close to popular tourist destinations such as
Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare, and the Cotswolds area
renowned for its beautiful countryside and picture-book English villages. It
is also located close to some of the world's best known industries such as
Jaguar cars and the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Europe's busiest
exhibition centre.
The airport boasts excellent road and rail connections to the rest of the
country. A main line railway station lies adjacent to the airport, which is
located close to motorway connections for the M6 to the North, M5 to the
West and M40 to London.
About Gulf Air
Gulf Air was founded in 1950. Today, it is owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain,
Oman and the UAE and is the only truly pan Gulf carrier in the region. The
airline's network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers more than 50
cities in 32 countries. The fleet is one of the most modern in the Middle
East and comprises 35 aircraft.
The airline is in the second year of a three-year strategic recovery
programme, headed by President and Chief Executive, James Hogan. The airline
's aim is to further evolve by taking its renowned cultural strengths,
technical expertise, modern fleet and professional management team which
have been developed over more than half a century, into a global competitive
environment.
Gulf Air was recognised with the prestigious Airline Turnaround of the Year
Award by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) in 2003 and it was
selected as a one of the leading and most recognised brands in the UAE by
the Superbrands Council. The airline also received the top honour of a
platinum award for being voted the Best Middle East and North Africa Airline
at the 2004 Arabian Travel Market's inaugural MENA Awards. The airline also
was named the winner of the Excellence in Quality Improvement category of
the 2004 Skytrax Airline Excellence Awards, the world's largest survey of
passenger attitudes towards airlines.
3 Sep,2004
Gulf Traveller to Commence Daily Direct Flights
From Abu Dhabi to Birmingham in 2005
Abu Dhabi, UAE: Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Emirate of Abu
Dhabi, Kingdom of Bahrain and Sultanate of Oman today announced the
expansion of its international network with the introduction of non-stop
flights from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Birmingham International
Airport, commencing early next year.
The new route will be operated by Gulf Traveller, the airline's all-economy
full service subdivision, which operates extensively throughout the Arabian
Gulf region, the Indian Subcontinent and Far East Asia. Since its
establishment in June 2003, the successful division has contributed
significantly to Gulf Air's strengthened financial position and strong
performance.
The addition of the direct flights to Birmingham will further bolster Gulf
Traveller's position, which in the first six months of this year registered
pleasing growth with an average seat factor of 75 per cent.
Flights start on 1 April 2005 and will be operated with a Boeing 767-300ER.
The Abu Dhabi to Birmingham service will commence with four services per
week (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) until 20 June when
frequencies will be increased to a daily operation.
James Hogan, President and Chief Executive at Gulf Air said the new service
is a further illustration of Gulf Air's commitment to provide the best
possible service to its customers.
"We've done our research. The service will offer the shortest elapsed time
between the UK's industrial heartland and Abu Dhabi. The schedule has been
planned to provide improved connections to major Indian Sub-Continent and
Far East Asian destinations, and will therefore meet the travel requirements
of vacationers as well as businessmen in all three centres, enhancing
commercial and leisure travel links. In addition, overseas students
attending universities in the centre of England and the Asian communities in
this region will also benefit," he said.
The addition of the Abu Dhabi to Birmingham service increases Gulf Air's
daily direct flights from the Gulf to the UK to six. Gulf Air currently
operates five daily flights from the Gulf to London Heathrow, and the
addition of the Birmingham service will bring the number of weekly flights
operated by the airline to 41.
James Hogan expects a rapid uptake of this service. "Business and leisure
travellers are looking for every opportunity to fly from Birmingham
International Airport, which avoids the delays usually associated with
journeys to Heathrow, especially from the north of London," he said.
Birmingham International Airport is the UK's second largest airport outside
London, and the UK's fifth largest overall. It is located to the north-west
of the City of Birmingham which lies at the industrial heart of England.
Birmingham is close to popular tourist destinations such as
Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of Shakespeare, and the Cotswolds area
renowned for its beautiful countryside and picture-book English villages. It
is also located close to some of the world's best known industries such as
Jaguar cars and the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Europe's busiest
exhibition centre.
The airport boasts excellent road and rail connections to the rest of the
country. A main line railway station lies adjacent to the airport, which is
located close to motorway connections for the M6 to the North, M5 to the
West and M40 to London.
About Gulf Air
Gulf Air was founded in 1950. Today, it is owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain,
Oman and the UAE and is the only truly pan Gulf carrier in the region. The
airline's network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers more than 50
cities in 32 countries. The fleet is one of the most modern in the Middle
East and comprises 35 aircraft.
The airline is in the second year of a three-year strategic recovery
programme, headed by President and Chief Executive, James Hogan. The airline
's aim is to further evolve by taking its renowned cultural strengths,
technical expertise, modern fleet and professional management team which
have been developed over more than half a century, into a global competitive
environment.
Gulf Air was recognised with the prestigious Airline Turnaround of the Year
Award by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) in 2003 and it was
selected as a one of the leading and most recognised brands in the UAE by
the Superbrands Council. The airline also received the top honour of a
platinum award for being voted the Best Middle East and North Africa Airline
at the 2004 Arabian Travel Market's inaugural MENA Awards. The airline also
was named the winner of the Excellence in Quality Improvement category of
the 2004 Skytrax Airline Excellence Awards, the world's largest survey of
passenger attitudes towards airlines.
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Excellent news!
Congratulations to Gulf Air/ Gulf Traveller, I wish them all the success on this new route.
Is there any rumour as to whether the airline intends to launch a similar service to Manchester?
I believe a daily service from AUH to MAN would prove to be a hit. Recently I have found Emirates to be quite expensive, this is the likely reason to the success of the Qatar Airways route to Doha.
Come on Gulf Air, return to Manchester!
Congratulations to Gulf Air/ Gulf Traveller, I wish them all the success on this new route.
Is there any rumour as to whether the airline intends to launch a similar service to Manchester?
I believe a daily service from AUH to MAN would prove to be a hit. Recently I have found Emirates to be quite expensive, this is the likely reason to the success of the Qatar Airways route to Doha.
Come on Gulf Air, return to Manchester!
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Its brilliant Gulf Traveller have a new route, but have you actually seen the state of the interior of these aircraft?
Usually on all flights, the majority of the toilets are U/S, the seats have stains all over them and are as dirty as anything. I travel a bit on GT out of AUH.... company benefits and all.. thank God for ID90's, interline agreements and Etihad!!
They really need to update this aged fleet with something that can handle the BHX-AUH run. I just wish they would start their JNB route again (for Gulf Air I mean)...
Usually on all flights, the majority of the toilets are U/S, the seats have stains all over them and are as dirty as anything. I travel a bit on GT out of AUH.... company benefits and all.. thank God for ID90's, interline agreements and Etihad!!
They really need to update this aged fleet with something that can handle the BHX-AUH run. I just wish they would start their JNB route again (for Gulf Air I mean)...
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Shame all the flights from BHX Longhaul seem to be going East It would be nice to see more to the USA and Canada, but I suppose as there seems to be alarge Asian population in and around Birmingham this is reflected in the destinations. Wonder if AA will come back or what about the proposed Delta route froma couple of years ago??
Not Manchester
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Manchester will be really smarting that thy didn't get these
C'mon Manchester Marketing..............
C'mon Manchester Marketing..............
This isn't some sort of game or sporting event, Bagso - maybe you're confusing it with Man City vs Aston Villa?
Gulf Traveller are occupying the same niche at Birmingham as Qatar Airways are at Manchester - as the "other" carrier to the Gulf States, very firmly in second place to Emirates. I doubt that either market has room for a third operator.
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Caslance you should know better !
I am not knocking Birmingham, far from it, infact good luck to them
....but pardon me if I do not subscribe to the love in...... !
You seem to be suggesting that we are happy with our lot at MAN , I disagree totally as indeed do many other professionals at the airport who see this as a real blow!
Gulf Air Traveller SHOULD have started into Manchester that is my view and is shared by others , is it wrong to to voice disappointment ?
If the Board at Manchester view themselves as the largest gateway outside London they should make damn sure that
they seize all opportunities.... and sorry but this airline should have been a cast iron certainty and we missed out !
When the CEO at Gulf Traveller was asked about UK destinations 12 months ago, Manchester was the key destination, so what has changed ! This was quoted in TTG and throughout the travel press.
There is a very real suggestion from inside the fence that they have not come here due slots.....
So what now in terms of expansion, do we all go to BHX ?
I am not knocking Birmingham, far from it, infact good luck to them
....but pardon me if I do not subscribe to the love in...... !
You seem to be suggesting that we are happy with our lot at MAN , I disagree totally as indeed do many other professionals at the airport who see this as a real blow!
Gulf Air Traveller SHOULD have started into Manchester that is my view and is shared by others , is it wrong to to voice disappointment ?
If the Board at Manchester view themselves as the largest gateway outside London they should make damn sure that
they seize all opportunities.... and sorry but this airline should have been a cast iron certainty and we missed out !
When the CEO at Gulf Traveller was asked about UK destinations 12 months ago, Manchester was the key destination, so what has changed ! This was quoted in TTG and throughout the travel press.
There is a very real suggestion from inside the fence that they have not come here due slots.....
So what now in terms of expansion, do we all go to BHX ?
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My geographically challenged 16 year old heard this story on the local BBC TV news (although he won't admit to any shortcomings having recently been awarded 11 GCSEs....and of course being 16)
He asked, sceptically, 'who would want to fly from Birmingham to Aberdovey !'
Links to any good navigation courses anyone ?
He asked, sceptically, 'who would want to fly from Birmingham to Aberdovey !'
Links to any good navigation courses anyone ?
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I think a Gulf Traveller route from BHX will be more successful than a route from MAN for a few reasons.
Firstly lets look at who flies into BHX and the operators at the more exotic end of the Spectrum include Mahan Air, PIA, Emirates, Air Slovakia, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The last 3 of those airlines operate out of BHX to provide a transfer route via their main base to the Indian Subcontinent. These passengers are not interested in premium cabins or airport lounges - they simply wish to get from A to B and on time - which can be an issue with some of the CIS operators!!! The idea of a no premium cabin fits exactly into Gulf Travellers concept of an all economy product
The Gulf Air brand has been around for a long time and is well known. Abu Dhabi is a delight of an airport (I was there earlier on today!) to fly from or transit through and the way it is expanding will mean that passengers from BHX will have a big range of connections available to Asia and Africa and this will appeal to the ethnic communities in the Midlands.
If you had the choice of flying with Turkmenistan and transferring through Ashkabad or flying with Gulf Traveller and transferring through Abu Dhabi - then Gulf Traveller would win hands down!
Firstly lets look at who flies into BHX and the operators at the more exotic end of the Spectrum include Mahan Air, PIA, Emirates, Air Slovakia, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The last 3 of those airlines operate out of BHX to provide a transfer route via their main base to the Indian Subcontinent. These passengers are not interested in premium cabins or airport lounges - they simply wish to get from A to B and on time - which can be an issue with some of the CIS operators!!! The idea of a no premium cabin fits exactly into Gulf Travellers concept of an all economy product
The Gulf Air brand has been around for a long time and is well known. Abu Dhabi is a delight of an airport (I was there earlier on today!) to fly from or transit through and the way it is expanding will mean that passengers from BHX will have a big range of connections available to Asia and Africa and this will appeal to the ethnic communities in the Midlands.
If you had the choice of flying with Turkmenistan and transferring through Ashkabad or flying with Gulf Traveller and transferring through Abu Dhabi - then Gulf Traveller would win hands down!
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Here here!
I think AUH is great. The green octopus (if you hadn't guessed already) is great at keeping people bermused for hours. However there is a lack of decent shops. I usually take three hours just choosing a pair of sunglasses to pass the time.
The duty free booze and fags are cheap, but thats about it... they should open up a Mc Donalds in there. I would be very happy then!!!
I think that every single airport in the world should have a Mc Donalds
Gulf Travellers fleet is still very old... I think its good that Gulf Air however are finally revamping their A340 First and Business seats and getting skybeds.
A note to anyone who is flying on Gulf Traveller (not Gulf Air)... when checking in, get your GT flight seats in rows 1 to 10... that was the original premium cabin so the space between the seats is larger than rows 11 to 35 (or 33??).
Sometimes due to Tech A/C or other reasons, the Gulf Traveller plane routes are changed to Gulf Air A/C having First Class and Business Class cabins. In this case, just get the Exit seats on that flight.
Ask at checkin what row economy starts at for your Gulf Traveller flight. If it starts from row 1, its a GT plane if its from row 20 or higher, its a GF Plane.
Some GF Routes are:
AUH- PEW
AUH- ISB
AUH- LHE
AUH- KHI
AUH- KTM
AUH- DAC
AUH- BOM
AUH- TRV
AUH- CMB
AUH- JED
AUH- RUH
I think AUH is great. The green octopus (if you hadn't guessed already) is great at keeping people bermused for hours. However there is a lack of decent shops. I usually take three hours just choosing a pair of sunglasses to pass the time.
The duty free booze and fags are cheap, but thats about it... they should open up a Mc Donalds in there. I would be very happy then!!!
I think that every single airport in the world should have a Mc Donalds
Gulf Travellers fleet is still very old... I think its good that Gulf Air however are finally revamping their A340 First and Business seats and getting skybeds.
A note to anyone who is flying on Gulf Traveller (not Gulf Air)... when checking in, get your GT flight seats in rows 1 to 10... that was the original premium cabin so the space between the seats is larger than rows 11 to 35 (or 33??).
Sometimes due to Tech A/C or other reasons, the Gulf Traveller plane routes are changed to Gulf Air A/C having First Class and Business Class cabins. In this case, just get the Exit seats on that flight.
Ask at checkin what row economy starts at for your Gulf Traveller flight. If it starts from row 1, its a GT plane if its from row 20 or higher, its a GF Plane.
Some GF Routes are:
AUH- PEW
AUH- ISB
AUH- LHE
AUH- KHI
AUH- KTM
AUH- DAC
AUH- BOM
AUH- TRV
AUH- CMB
AUH- JED
AUH- RUH
Whats the difference between Gulf traveller and normal Gulf service. Is 'traveller' a low cost type of service.
I flew from LHR to SYD and back 3 years ago and the service left a lot to be desired. Dirty A340's Crew who obviously didnt like the job and the food was of low quality.
I still rate Emirates as the best operator anywhere in the world
I flew from LHR to SYD and back 3 years ago and the service left a lot to be desired. Dirty A340's Crew who obviously didnt like the job and the food was of low quality.
I still rate Emirates as the best operator anywhere in the world
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Have to agree crewmeal that my last experience on GF was not great either.
Again, the LHR-BAH-SYD was operated on A340 and it was rather tired inside. The attitude of everyone from Check-In to Cabin Crew left a lot to be desired. When I say Cabin Crew, I especially mean their local male crew. The European and Asian female crew were great, just the male crew that acted like they were doing you a favour by letting you be on-board. Meal services were dredful, especially the afternoon tea with can only be described as a "house-brick" of a biscuit which broke my tooth.
I wouldn't use them again! Maybe this isn't reflective of most of their flights, however, once was enough to put me off.
Again, the LHR-BAH-SYD was operated on A340 and it was rather tired inside. The attitude of everyone from Check-In to Cabin Crew left a lot to be desired. When I say Cabin Crew, I especially mean their local male crew. The European and Asian female crew were great, just the male crew that acted like they were doing you a favour by letting you be on-board. Meal services were dredful, especially the afternoon tea with can only be described as a "house-brick" of a biscuit which broke my tooth.
I wouldn't use them again! Maybe this isn't reflective of most of their flights, however, once was enough to put me off.
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Gulf Traveller is the all Economy Version of Gulf Air... it just means their 767s are fitted with no first or business class seats.
Gulf Traveller is mainly used as a ferry service to ship the slave labour between the poorer Asian-Sub Cont. countries and the U.A.E.
Gulf Traveller is mainly used as a ferry service to ship the slave labour between the poorer Asian-Sub Cont. countries and the U.A.E.
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hey jaboy from my own home city, there's nothing wrong with Etihad.....good service and really friendly crew....give 'em a whirl and see...maybe you already have, maybe you haven't.
they are a new airline and need a lot of support.......go on, you know you love'em!!!
regards
karl
oops sorry Jabird i meant the message to read Mister Geezer!
they are a new airline and need a lot of support.......go on, you know you love'em!!!
regards
karl
oops sorry Jabird i meant the message to read Mister Geezer!