Current Gulf Air issues (threads merged)
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
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Well this part of your post is true Midseal:
"and insurance cost are not what they use to be"
The aviation insurance market is well over subscribed with underwriters and rates have never been cheaper.
"and insurance cost are not what they use to be"
The aviation insurance market is well over subscribed with underwriters and rates have never been cheaper.
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
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Gulf Air is taking steps to make itself viable within it's available market. Bahrain does not have an inexhaustible supple of money like the UAE, Qatar and to a lesser extent, The Oman, so it cannot compete and has to make the best of it's current situation.
I can remember when Gulf Aviation, as it was then, was run by Alan Bodger and had the monopoly all around the Gulf, now, facing stiff competition from much richer neighbours, they are having to cut their cloth according to their means.
Bahrain itself is not a final tourist destination but if sensible heads got together it could form part of a Gulf tour with a visit to Iski in the Oman, possibly Jebel Akdhar as well, some gambling in Dubai, Al Alain and so on.
If your idea of a holiday is all about clubs and bars then I would agree that the Middle East is not the ideal option but the Gulf does have a lot to offer a tourist with slightly more aesthetic tastes and an interest in history etc. etc. or simply someone who likes the sun!
I can remember when Gulf Aviation, as it was then, was run by Alan Bodger and had the monopoly all around the Gulf, now, facing stiff competition from much richer neighbours, they are having to cut their cloth according to their means.
Bahrain itself is not a final tourist destination but if sensible heads got together it could form part of a Gulf tour with a visit to Iski in the Oman, possibly Jebel Akdhar as well, some gambling in Dubai, Al Alain and so on.
If your idea of a holiday is all about clubs and bars then I would agree that the Middle East is not the ideal option but the Gulf does have a lot to offer a tourist with slightly more aesthetic tastes and an interest in history etc. etc. or simply someone who likes the sun!
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From what i've heard there won't be any, we have too many with the fleet reduction, but they are figuring (correctly so) that a bunch of us will quit, so that will take care of any excesses.
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Gulf Air Press Release ( Exclusive PPRUNE )
Hi guys,
I have an exclusive access to the press release ( Powerpoint )
It's avilable through :
http://www.sharebigfile.com/file/145...final-ppt.html
and
ttp://www.sharebigfile.com/file/145360/A--Dose-GF-restructure-160407-final-ppt.html
EXCLUSIVE
I have an exclusive access to the press release ( Powerpoint )
It's avilable through :
http://www.sharebigfile.com/file/145...final-ppt.html
and
ttp://www.sharebigfile.com/file/145360/A--Dose-GF-restructure-160407-final-ppt.html
EXCLUSIVE
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don't forget that the only embassy that Bahrain has is located in Washington D.C
There also seems to be a lot of confussion here as to whether Bahrain is a tourist destination. Yes but only for those of us across the causeway and for the family members visiting the Navy guys.
Bahrain is a Business destination! You would be suprised as to who inhabits those tall buildings.
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I totally agree with Desert Storm.
Unless you enjoy being ripped off by lazy taxi drivers, and risking being killed by a drunk Saudi driver everytime you get in a car, Bahrain is definitely NOT a holiday destination.
Unless you enjoy being ripped off by lazy taxi drivers, and risking being killed by a drunk Saudi driver everytime you get in a car, Bahrain is definitely NOT a holiday destination.
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Hub
Odmea dont take what I write personally just give valid reasons why I could be wrong.
Singapore is a small island as Bahrain but they managed.
If Bahrain wants to go against most of GCC countries by going west towards the Saudi its good for them but I cannot see how they can be right.
What I meant is that by taking people with proper connection to the countries where the western people can enjoy themselves it will be viable.
Maldives is a muslim country no alcohol allowed to be imported but when people are there you find all you need .
Family tourism doesnt mean to cater only for children.men are tourists as well.
Singapore is a small island as Bahrain but they managed.
If Bahrain wants to go against most of GCC countries by going west towards the Saudi its good for them but I cannot see how they can be right.
What I meant is that by taking people with proper connection to the countries where the western people can enjoy themselves it will be viable.
Maldives is a muslim country no alcohol allowed to be imported but when people are there you find all you need .
Family tourism doesnt mean to cater only for children.men are tourists as well.
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There are numerous errors in his fleet slide. Such as GF has currently 6 A330-300. There is also no mention of the GF SQ aircraft (with 249 seat capacity I believe). I hope all his other info is more accurate.
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Well....the fat lady is singing loud and long....the previous bunch did a lot of positive things to bring GF into a good light, and improve it's image, unfortunately the house was repainted, but the termites in the foundation were not exterminated....looks like the exterminators are here to fix the foundation, only then will the house be rebuilt, on a solid foundation..ensuring it's survival....it's about time...this from one who might be out the door with cutbacks..but it had to happen....and yes the staff travel issue which I would have thought to be secondary issue, was addressed to resounding applause...so they do realize that morale does make an airline work....lets wish them all the success...and personally hope I survive the retrenchment to enjoy the success
...now I sit back and enjoy the fat lady's song...but I wont be inviting her home..(she looks too much like me)
and for those of you who think GF should follow suit with the other carriers here and be unprofitable just to be posh and save face....maybe WE are the trendsetters the others will be forced to follow at a future date...who can tell...times are a changin' here in the gulf..
...now I sit back and enjoy the fat lady's song...but I wont be inviting her home..(she looks too much like me) and for those of you who think GF should follow suit with the other carriers here and be unprofitable just to be posh and save face....maybe WE are the trendsetters the others will be forced to follow at a future date...who can tell...times are a changin' here in the gulf..
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Well said ironbutt.
The press release and figures cited by Mr. Dosé yesterday are quite revealing (if not nauseating).
Over the last few weeks on these merged threads, there have been a number of comments and attitudes expressed that can be summed up as "if Bahrain wants and airline, it just needs to get to grips that reality that it will never be profitable and cost lots of money. While at it, make it plush."
I believe Bahrain has made a decision in that regard. It doesn't want an airline. At least not at this high cost. With losses in excess of $1 million US per day, who would? It only makes my mind run wild what airlines like Qatar Airways and Etihad (amongst others) are costing the citizens of their countries on a daily basis.
Those who believe that a good representation of Bahrain is the Grand Prix, the World Trade Center, the Financial Harbor, BMW's, Amwaj Islands, and Durrat al-Bahrain, should take a drive out into some of the other parts of Bahrain to take a look at how many Bahrainis live. These are the people who drive 1980's model cars and live in conditions that make GF cabin crew housing look luxurious. Bahrani public clinics are nothing pretty either. Even a fraction of the $1 million plus dollars that GF burns up daily would do so much to improve the situation of infrastructure, health care and education in Bahrain.
The Bahraini shareholders seemingly have decided enough is enough. They don't need the airline, not at this cost. However, with so much already sunk into it, why not give it a last-chance to become successful? That is what Dosé is now trying to accomplish with what seemingly (and hopefully) is the shareholders full support.
If unsuccessful, from reading the headlines, Bahrainis will be able to work for and travel with Air Asia's Middle Eastern subsiduary which is thinking about setting up shop in OBBI. In that case, even the Company's red and white colors will combine well with Bahrain.
Airline plans Bahrain Hub
The press release and figures cited by Mr. Dosé yesterday are quite revealing (if not nauseating).
Over the last few weeks on these merged threads, there have been a number of comments and attitudes expressed that can be summed up as "if Bahrain wants and airline, it just needs to get to grips that reality that it will never be profitable and cost lots of money. While at it, make it plush."
I believe Bahrain has made a decision in that regard. It doesn't want an airline. At least not at this high cost. With losses in excess of $1 million US per day, who would? It only makes my mind run wild what airlines like Qatar Airways and Etihad (amongst others) are costing the citizens of their countries on a daily basis.
Those who believe that a good representation of Bahrain is the Grand Prix, the World Trade Center, the Financial Harbor, BMW's, Amwaj Islands, and Durrat al-Bahrain, should take a drive out into some of the other parts of Bahrain to take a look at how many Bahrainis live. These are the people who drive 1980's model cars and live in conditions that make GF cabin crew housing look luxurious. Bahrani public clinics are nothing pretty either. Even a fraction of the $1 million plus dollars that GF burns up daily would do so much to improve the situation of infrastructure, health care and education in Bahrain.
The Bahraini shareholders seemingly have decided enough is enough. They don't need the airline, not at this cost. However, with so much already sunk into it, why not give it a last-chance to become successful? That is what Dosé is now trying to accomplish with what seemingly (and hopefully) is the shareholders full support.
If unsuccessful, from reading the headlines, Bahrainis will be able to work for and travel with Air Asia's Middle Eastern subsiduary which is thinking about setting up shop in OBBI. In that case, even the Company's red and white colors will combine well with Bahrain.
Airline plans Bahrain Hub
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Gulf Air launches $825m restructuring drive
By A Staff Reporter
MUSCAT — Gulf Air, the national carrier of Oman and Bahrain, yesterday unveiled a major programme to turn the company around and to get it well again. The plan consists of two pillars to completely reshape the network to better serve the needs of the Oman and Bahrain economies and, to improve customer service through higher punctuality, better reliability and lower connection times. This will require investments in aircraft and ground facilities. The total cost of the programme is $825 million, say company officials.
Gulf Air Board of Directors Deputy Chairman Mahmood al Kooheji announced yesterday that the airline’s operation was currently losing more than 1 million dollars a day and including other costs such as financing ‘the figure would even be substantially higher.’ Accumulated losses and costs, including 2007, would amount to $675 million. “Gulf Air plays an important role in the economic development of Bahrain and Oman. But to do this effectively the airline has to be financially sound, efficient and fully focused on the needs of its customers,” said Al Kooheji at a press conference yesterday, at the company’s headquarters in Muharraq.
“At this critical juncture, we have looked at ways in which the fleet and resources can be used in the most effective way to ensure customers are served effectively, while maintaining operations on a commercial basis. “Together with the airline’s new President and Chief Executive André Dosé, who joined Gulf Air at the beginning of April, the Board of Directors has, therefore, developed a far-reaching, two-step programme to ‘get Gulf Air well again’.” Under the first part of the programme that will cost $319 million, Gulf Air will undergo a major restructuring of its operations.
The focus is on closing the airline’s current profitability gap of $414 million, creating a network that serves better the needs of the Oman and Bahrain business community and, increasing Gulf Air’s customer service level. “The main goal of our restructuring and customer service programme is to increase flight frequencies to existing key destinations and to add new connections to major economic centres that are of growing importance for the economy of Bahrain and Oman,” said Dosé. “At the same time, Gulf Air’s new management will put great emphasis to improve punctuality, reliability and lower connection time for our passengers between their flights.
“We have made safety, punctuality and customer service the key issues of our restructuring programme because we are not satisfied with our current service level. Also, we have to improve the way we communicate with customers when delays do occur.” To achieve its financial and operational goals, Gulf Air will downsize its fleet from 34 to 28 aircraft. In line with its goal to radically simplify the business, the company will move to an all-Airbus fleet. In parallel, the network will be fundamentally restructured.
“We will stop operating to our heavily loss-making long-haul services to Dublin, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Sydney and Singapore. Instead, we will allocate more assets to better serve all important centres in the Gulf and the Middle Eastern region,” added Dosé. “It is our goal to offer each centre in the region at least two flights per day, and often more. The introduction of a ‘wave structure’ of inbound and outbound flights will also allow us shorter connection time and insure better connectivity with our Asian and European long-haul flights.”
The second pillar of Gulf Air’s “get well” programme consists of investments of $505 million to improve the quality of its product on the ground and in the air. The airline intends to refurbish the cabins of its existing Airbus aircraft. In addition, ground facilities, such as lounges, will be upgraded. The fleet simplification will involve the introduction of four Airbus A-321 aircraft, the retirement of the entire Boeing B-767 fleet and the phasing out of the Gulf Traveller brand. Gulf Air will also replace part of its Airbus A-340 fleet by five newer Airbus A-330 aircraft. It would take until the beginning of 2009 to complete the fleet replacement and restructuring programme, said Dosé.
Parallel to the downsizing of its fleet by roughly 25 per cent, Gulf Air’s workforce will have to be reduced, also. Currently, the airline has nearly 6,000 employees. The exact number of jobs that will be cut as a result of the downsizing and restructuring of the company still has to be defined. A portion of the downsizing of the workforce will occur through natural attrition.
MUSCAT — Gulf Air, the national carrier of Oman and Bahrain, yesterday unveiled a major programme to turn the company around and to get it well again. The plan consists of two pillars to completely reshape the network to better serve the needs of the Oman and Bahrain economies and, to improve customer service through higher punctuality, better reliability and lower connection times. This will require investments in aircraft and ground facilities. The total cost of the programme is $825 million, say company officials.
Gulf Air Board of Directors Deputy Chairman Mahmood al Kooheji announced yesterday that the airline’s operation was currently losing more than 1 million dollars a day and including other costs such as financing ‘the figure would even be substantially higher.’ Accumulated losses and costs, including 2007, would amount to $675 million. “Gulf Air plays an important role in the economic development of Bahrain and Oman. But to do this effectively the airline has to be financially sound, efficient and fully focused on the needs of its customers,” said Al Kooheji at a press conference yesterday, at the company’s headquarters in Muharraq.
“At this critical juncture, we have looked at ways in which the fleet and resources can be used in the most effective way to ensure customers are served effectively, while maintaining operations on a commercial basis. “Together with the airline’s new President and Chief Executive André Dosé, who joined Gulf Air at the beginning of April, the Board of Directors has, therefore, developed a far-reaching, two-step programme to ‘get Gulf Air well again’.” Under the first part of the programme that will cost $319 million, Gulf Air will undergo a major restructuring of its operations.
The focus is on closing the airline’s current profitability gap of $414 million, creating a network that serves better the needs of the Oman and Bahrain business community and, increasing Gulf Air’s customer service level. “The main goal of our restructuring and customer service programme is to increase flight frequencies to existing key destinations and to add new connections to major economic centres that are of growing importance for the economy of Bahrain and Oman,” said Dosé. “At the same time, Gulf Air’s new management will put great emphasis to improve punctuality, reliability and lower connection time for our passengers between their flights.
“We have made safety, punctuality and customer service the key issues of our restructuring programme because we are not satisfied with our current service level. Also, we have to improve the way we communicate with customers when delays do occur.” To achieve its financial and operational goals, Gulf Air will downsize its fleet from 34 to 28 aircraft. In line with its goal to radically simplify the business, the company will move to an all-Airbus fleet. In parallel, the network will be fundamentally restructured.
“We will stop operating to our heavily loss-making long-haul services to Dublin, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Sydney and Singapore. Instead, we will allocate more assets to better serve all important centres in the Gulf and the Middle Eastern region,” added Dosé. “It is our goal to offer each centre in the region at least two flights per day, and often more. The introduction of a ‘wave structure’ of inbound and outbound flights will also allow us shorter connection time and insure better connectivity with our Asian and European long-haul flights.”
The second pillar of Gulf Air’s “get well” programme consists of investments of $505 million to improve the quality of its product on the ground and in the air. The airline intends to refurbish the cabins of its existing Airbus aircraft. In addition, ground facilities, such as lounges, will be upgraded. The fleet simplification will involve the introduction of four Airbus A-321 aircraft, the retirement of the entire Boeing B-767 fleet and the phasing out of the Gulf Traveller brand. Gulf Air will also replace part of its Airbus A-340 fleet by five newer Airbus A-330 aircraft. It would take until the beginning of 2009 to complete the fleet replacement and restructuring programme, said Dosé.
Parallel to the downsizing of its fleet by roughly 25 per cent, Gulf Air’s workforce will have to be reduced, also. Currently, the airline has nearly 6,000 employees. The exact number of jobs that will be cut as a result of the downsizing and restructuring of the company still has to be defined. A portion of the downsizing of the workforce will occur through natural attrition.
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Begs the question
What the f
was JH doing these last 3 years?
He should be held accountable in some way. If AD has gained the boards approval to take such drastic measures why couldn't JH have done the same with all his seeming business prowess seeing the state of GF?
I note that many of you keep wishing GF luck with AD because of not such a rosy history with SWISS. I dare say it's high time GF'ers start wishing EY luck with JH seeing the mess he has left GF in.
Oddy
was JH doing these last 3 years?He should be held accountable in some way. If AD has gained the boards approval to take such drastic measures why couldn't JH have done the same with all his seeming business prowess seeing the state of GF?
I note that many of you keep wishing GF luck with AD because of not such a rosy history with SWISS. I dare say it's high time GF'ers start wishing EY luck with JH seeing the mess he has left GF in.
Oddy
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From Gulf News today !
Gulf Air to reduce fleet and drop six destinations
By Habib Toumi, Bureau chief
Manama: Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain and Oman, is dropping six destinations and opting for an all Airbus fleet as the ailing company launches an aggressive programme to reverse daily losses of $1 million.
"The network will be fundamentally restructured," president and chief executive Andre Dos© said.
"We will stop operating our heavily loss-making long-haul services to Dublin, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Sydney and Singapore. Instead, we will allocate more assets to better serve all important centres in the Gulf and the Middle Eastern region," he added.
The company will also reduce its fleet from 34 to 28 aircraft, taking out in the process the entire Boeing B-767 fleet (nine aircraft) and phasing out the Gulf Traveller brand, and replacing their nine A340s with four A321s, two 215-seat A330s and six 293-seat A330s.
But Dos©, a Swiss citizen who took over this month, told Gulf News that the decision to have an all-Airbus fleet was purely technical and practical as the company's fleet before the structure plan consisted of 25 Airbus and nine Boeing aircraft. "This decision is also in line with our goal to radically simplify the business," he said.
Mahmood Al Kooheji, Gulf Air board of directors deputy chairman, said the overall restructuring, at a cost of 310 million Bahraini dinars ($825 million), consisted of a complete reshape of the network and improvement of customer service through higher punctuality, better reliability and lower connection times, and of investments of 190 million dinars ($505 million) from shareholders and financial institutions to improve quality.
Massive losses
"The airline's operation is currently losing more than $1 million a day and the figure would even be substantially higher if we include other costs such as financing.
Accumulated losses and costs, including 2007, would amount to 254 million dinars ($675 million)," he said.
Under the first part of the programme, at a cost of 120 million dinars ($319 million), Gulf Air will seek to close its current profitability gap of 156 million dinars ($414 million).
The fleet replacement and restructuring programme is expected to be completed in the beginning of 2009.
By Habib Toumi, Bureau chief
Manama: Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain and Oman, is dropping six destinations and opting for an all Airbus fleet as the ailing company launches an aggressive programme to reverse daily losses of $1 million.
"The network will be fundamentally restructured," president and chief executive Andre Dos© said.
"We will stop operating our heavily loss-making long-haul services to Dublin, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Sydney and Singapore. Instead, we will allocate more assets to better serve all important centres in the Gulf and the Middle Eastern region," he added.
The company will also reduce its fleet from 34 to 28 aircraft, taking out in the process the entire Boeing B-767 fleet (nine aircraft) and phasing out the Gulf Traveller brand, and replacing their nine A340s with four A321s, two 215-seat A330s and six 293-seat A330s.
But Dos©, a Swiss citizen who took over this month, told Gulf News that the decision to have an all-Airbus fleet was purely technical and practical as the company's fleet before the structure plan consisted of 25 Airbus and nine Boeing aircraft. "This decision is also in line with our goal to radically simplify the business," he said.
Mahmood Al Kooheji, Gulf Air board of directors deputy chairman, said the overall restructuring, at a cost of 310 million Bahraini dinars ($825 million), consisted of a complete reshape of the network and improvement of customer service through higher punctuality, better reliability and lower connection times, and of investments of 190 million dinars ($505 million) from shareholders and financial institutions to improve quality.
Massive losses
"The airline's operation is currently losing more than $1 million a day and the figure would even be substantially higher if we include other costs such as financing.
Accumulated losses and costs, including 2007, would amount to 254 million dinars ($675 million)," he said.
Under the first part of the programme, at a cost of 120 million dinars ($319 million), Gulf Air will seek to close its current profitability gap of 156 million dinars ($414 million).
The fleet replacement and restructuring programme is expected to be completed in the beginning of 2009.
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Kick in bu..
Amazing !!AD telling you i will kick you out.and you still Clap.
read Arabic news paper.25% of GF work force will be sacked mainly Foreigners from Flight Operations Department ie 1500 jobs .
PIlots wake up .Start Searching.Bahrainisation is the only aim.
IF GF managment have the GUTS they should release the Ban to ETIHAD .Than you will see who will be left flying the new 330.s in GF.
GUD I saw it coming before.
read Arabic news paper.25% of GF work force will be sacked mainly Foreigners from Flight Operations Department ie 1500 jobs .
PIlots wake up .Start Searching.Bahrainisation is the only aim.
IF GF managment have the GUTS they should release the Ban to ETIHAD .Than you will see who will be left flying the new 330.s in GF.
GUD I saw it coming before.
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Bus 787, I agree, everyones job is on the line, but you have to admit, it is a real refreshing experience, being told what the state of the nation really is, and what is going to be done to address the issues at hand. On a side issue, has anyone seen the ETIHAD web site recently? Looks like JH took GF's web site with him on a CD when he went. Also he is very, very low profile at ETIHAD. That must really be hurting his Ego!!!!