Gulf Air Developments
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Middle East
The developements are coming thick and fast in the GDN. Can't keep up. 
Glad to see today, opposition by local business people to the proposed alcohol ban . It would be even harder to compete with this religious restriction in place on GF flights.
The food is halal, the staff make arrangements for single females to be seperated from males. Sometimes at the expense of OTP. Other airlines outside the region don't have these factors to take into account.
I would expect most of the European flights to have their loads slashed within days of the ban. More business to the other more 'Business Friendly' Gulf carriers.
Glad to see today, opposition by local business people to the proposed alcohol ban . It would be even harder to compete with this religious restriction in place on GF flights.
The food is halal, the staff make arrangements for single females to be seperated from males. Sometimes at the expense of OTP. Other airlines outside the region don't have these factors to take into account.
I would expect most of the European flights to have their loads slashed within days of the ban. More business to the other more 'Business Friendly' Gulf carriers.
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 655
Likes: 0
From: South of North
Therin lies the brilliance of the MP's in Bahrain - 'he is 35 so he can't have any knowledge or experience' they scream!!! With this type of 'leadership' in government is there any hope??? It is those morons who should be ousted. If you can't develop a simple argument then one, you should not be an MP, and two, you should keep your mouth shut.
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 319
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From: Manchester
More comedy in Bahrain's Gulf Daily News today.
Millions wasted on wages and bonuses
GOVERNMENT money is being squandered on high wages and bonuses for key officials at Gulf Air while the airline is failing, says a top MP.
Millions of dinars are going into the wrong pockets, says parliament financial and economic affairs committee chairman Abduljalil Khalil.
The Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, which owns Gulf Air is pumping money into a recovery strategy that has yet to materialise, he said yesterday.
"Thousands of dinars go into president and chief executive Bjorn Naf's pockets and those of other key officials every month (in salaries), rather than being spent on the airline's growth, whether through training and educating Bahrainis, or developing services," said Mr Khalil.
"We are not against the government's injection of money into the company, but are against it being wasted on wages and bonuses for people who are doing nothing, considering that in past two years, since the chief executive was appointed, nothing major has happened.
"MPs want the company to stand on its feet again, we don't just want that, we want Gulf Air to fly.
"This will never happen with the current mismanagement going on, considering that the government will pump money every year, without any profits being expected even in 20 years."
Parliament demanded last Thursday that Mr Naf be sacked, saying he is not up to the job.
The call followed a meeting between parliament's financial and economic affairs committee and airline board members, led by executive committee chairman and director Jawad Habib Jawad.
A statement issued later through parliament's general secretariat called for a "search for a new chief executive who has the qualifications and experience necessary for a commercial airline".
It also called for four expatriate chiefs of various divisions to be replaced by Bahrainis.
Out of six such posts, only two are currently held by Bahrainis.
"It is important to Bahrainise higher leadership posts in the company, especially higher administrative posts, giving them priority in employment, education and training," said the statement.
It stressed that the company should not get rid of any Bahrainis, but questioned the education and experience of expatriate employees, including those in the most senior posts.
MPs say the airline's problems have continued under Mr Naf's leadership and that he has employed expatriates in high-ranking posts for which they have neither experience nor qualifications.
"We want a new chief executive other than Mr Naf, because we believe he is wrong for the post," said Mr Khalil.
"If a replacement is sought, a Bahraini is preferable, but we have no problem with a capable expat, who can lead the company into the future.
"We wouldn't have faced problems having a replacement for Mr Naf or other key officials, if Bahrainis were trained and educated by the company to handle key posts."
Mr Khalil said that MPs were upset with the way Gulf Air was being handled by key officials.
"We have identified the main problem and we are looking for ways to solve it and will not stop until we believe that the company is going in the right direction."
Mr Khalil said on Thursday that parliamentary blocs and independent MPs had postponed setting up a probe committee into the company's affairs two weeks ago, but was set to bring it again tomorrow.
Gulf Air officials would not comment.
Millions wasted on wages and bonuses
GOVERNMENT money is being squandered on high wages and bonuses for key officials at Gulf Air while the airline is failing, says a top MP.
Millions of dinars are going into the wrong pockets, says parliament financial and economic affairs committee chairman Abduljalil Khalil.
The Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, which owns Gulf Air is pumping money into a recovery strategy that has yet to materialise, he said yesterday.
"Thousands of dinars go into president and chief executive Bjorn Naf's pockets and those of other key officials every month (in salaries), rather than being spent on the airline's growth, whether through training and educating Bahrainis, or developing services," said Mr Khalil.
"We are not against the government's injection of money into the company, but are against it being wasted on wages and bonuses for people who are doing nothing, considering that in past two years, since the chief executive was appointed, nothing major has happened.
"MPs want the company to stand on its feet again, we don't just want that, we want Gulf Air to fly.
"This will never happen with the current mismanagement going on, considering that the government will pump money every year, without any profits being expected even in 20 years."
Parliament demanded last Thursday that Mr Naf be sacked, saying he is not up to the job.
The call followed a meeting between parliament's financial and economic affairs committee and airline board members, led by executive committee chairman and director Jawad Habib Jawad.
A statement issued later through parliament's general secretariat called for a "search for a new chief executive who has the qualifications and experience necessary for a commercial airline".
It also called for four expatriate chiefs of various divisions to be replaced by Bahrainis.
Out of six such posts, only two are currently held by Bahrainis.
"It is important to Bahrainise higher leadership posts in the company, especially higher administrative posts, giving them priority in employment, education and training," said the statement.
It stressed that the company should not get rid of any Bahrainis, but questioned the education and experience of expatriate employees, including those in the most senior posts.
MPs say the airline's problems have continued under Mr Naf's leadership and that he has employed expatriates in high-ranking posts for which they have neither experience nor qualifications.
"We want a new chief executive other than Mr Naf, because we believe he is wrong for the post," said Mr Khalil.
"If a replacement is sought, a Bahraini is preferable, but we have no problem with a capable expat, who can lead the company into the future.
"We wouldn't have faced problems having a replacement for Mr Naf or other key officials, if Bahrainis were trained and educated by the company to handle key posts."
Mr Khalil said that MPs were upset with the way Gulf Air was being handled by key officials.
"We have identified the main problem and we are looking for ways to solve it and will not stop until we believe that the company is going in the right direction."
Mr Khalil said on Thursday that parliamentary blocs and independent MPs had postponed setting up a probe committee into the company's affairs two weeks ago, but was set to bring it again tomorrow.
Gulf Air officials would not comment.
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 319
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From: Manchester
It also called for four expatriate chiefs of various divisions to be replaced by Bahrainis.
And that will solve all of problems associated with Gulf Air?
It stressed that the company should not get rid of any Bahrainis, but questioned the education and experience of expatriate employees, including those in the most senior posts.
We wouldn't have faced problems having a replacement for Mr Naf or other key officials, if Bahrainis were trained and educated by the company to handle key posts
Gulf Air officials would not comment.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: row 8
That just about summarises the problems.
Gulf Air do happen to have an incompetent CEO, but which competent replacement would even consider taking over the reins when MPs are going to criticise every move. It has become a real poisoned chalice.
And Gulf Air's problems are NOT going to be solved by appointing Bahrainis to senior positions ... unless there are some suitably skilled individuals hiding out there somewhere.
Gulf Air do happen to have an incompetent CEO, but which competent replacement would even consider taking over the reins when MPs are going to criticise every move. It has become a real poisoned chalice.
And Gulf Air's problems are NOT going to be solved by appointing Bahrainis to senior positions ... unless there are some suitably skilled individuals hiding out there somewhere.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Never never land
Well there are a lot qualify for this position in GF
1, Al ansaries Mafios brothers and cousins
2, A Al saeedi (This guy can ferry A/C with gear down with pax flt pln fuel and oppss not enough fuel . land in syz,still insist can prove it in the sim.
3,There is new Tom cruise, Nadir Alshehab, watch this guy power hungry
4,Couple more
leaker. One of them will be.My airline my country my big mother mess up airline then bang no boose no chicks no money. then we go back to the brits and cry HEEEEEEELP
1, Al ansaries Mafios brothers and cousins
2, A Al saeedi (This guy can ferry A/C with gear down with pax flt pln fuel and oppss not enough fuel . land in syz,still insist can prove it in the sim.
3,There is new Tom cruise, Nadir Alshehab, watch this guy power hungry
4,Couple more
leaker. One of them will be.My airline my country my big mother mess up airline then bang no boose no chicks no money. then we go back to the brits and cry HEEEEEEELP
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: bahrain
We just need a good man up there with good history and we have to compete with others to get him not like the rest we fined them jobless on the streets throwing there applications all over or some that there mothers told them you will be a good CEO in the future (you are not too small)
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Singapore
at the end of the day, it all comes down to the sunni dictators against the shiite militants and everyone else will be in the crossfire.
nothing on gods earth will ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever change that.
if one side has their way, bahrainisation will be done at all cost. if the other, there'll be black flags down the aisle and flight attendants will be fully covered.
the members of parliament with the big mouths have a right to voice their concerns but are completely off the mark with the areas that need fixing. the fact is that the board runs the airline. that is where the investigations should begin, not at expat managers.
in any case, it will be a long time before bahrainis can properly run their own affairs.
nothing on gods earth will ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever ever change that.
if one side has their way, bahrainisation will be done at all cost. if the other, there'll be black flags down the aisle and flight attendants will be fully covered.
the members of parliament with the big mouths have a right to voice their concerns but are completely off the mark with the areas that need fixing. the fact is that the board runs the airline. that is where the investigations should begin, not at expat managers.
in any case, it will be a long time before bahrainis can properly run their own affairs.
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Manchester
In other news, it looks like MPs are pushing to ban alcohol all together at Bahrain airport. It'll include First Class lounges and Duty Free.
MPs vote to ban alcohol at airport
By MOHAMMED AL A'ALI
MPs yesterday voted to ban all alcohol sales at Bahrain International Airport, including duty free.
The move comes two weeks after parliament voted to demand a ban on alcohol on all Gulf Air flights.
MPs yesterday urged the government to start acting as a Muslim country, by abiding by Islamic values and principles, stipulated in the Constitution.
Parliament foreign affairs, defence and national security committee vice-chairman Abdulhussain Al Metgawie said that there were a lot of Bahraini and other Muslim workers at the airport, who were being forced to serve alcohol.
"The sale and serving of alcohol is wrong and forcing Muslims to do it is worse.
"Alcohol should be banned at the airport and on all Gulf Air flights and the minister has to act fast, as we will not stop until what is needed is done."
Source: GDN
MPs vote to ban alcohol at airport
By MOHAMMED AL A'ALI
MPs yesterday voted to ban all alcohol sales at Bahrain International Airport, including duty free.
The move comes two weeks after parliament voted to demand a ban on alcohol on all Gulf Air flights.
MPs yesterday urged the government to start acting as a Muslim country, by abiding by Islamic values and principles, stipulated in the Constitution.
Parliament foreign affairs, defence and national security committee vice-chairman Abdulhussain Al Metgawie said that there were a lot of Bahraini and other Muslim workers at the airport, who were being forced to serve alcohol.
"The sale and serving of alcohol is wrong and forcing Muslims to do it is worse.
"Alcohol should be banned at the airport and on all Gulf Air flights and the minister has to act fast, as we will not stop until what is needed is done."
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 382
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From: Intentionally Left Blank
Are Malaysian Airlines and/or Garuda Indonesia dry airlines? Are their home base airports dry? Far from it. And these are the two largest Islamic states on the planet.
At Bahrain I believe alcohol is only available airside and thus one is technically out of the country anyway. Wouldn't another solution to allow a continuance of service be to employ only non-muslims for airside duties?
Anyway, the way things are going in Bahrain, surely the mass expulsion of expatriate staff shall be enough to negate the sale of alcohol anyway - hence the MP's should concentrate on their bigger goal of 100% Bahrainisation so that these lesser evils simply disappear into the ether as there will remain no market requirement for alcohol or prostitutes. (Me thinks not!)
At Bahrain I believe alcohol is only available airside and thus one is technically out of the country anyway. Wouldn't another solution to allow a continuance of service be to employ only non-muslims for airside duties?
Anyway, the way things are going in Bahrain, surely the mass expulsion of expatriate staff shall be enough to negate the sale of alcohol anyway - hence the MP's should concentrate on their bigger goal of 100% Bahrainisation so that these lesser evils simply disappear into the ether as there will remain no market requirement for alcohol or prostitutes. (Me thinks not!)
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Never never land
NO ALCOHOL? ARE YOU CRAZY .HOW CAN ANYONE STAY IN BAHRAIN WITHOUT ALCOHOL? THEY ARE IS NOTHING TO DO IN BAH EXCEPT GETTING DRUNK.AND YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT AWAY? FOR SURE I WILL RESIGN .DONT KNOW ABOUT THE OTHERS.
FOR SURE I WILL RESIGN .DONT KNOW ABOUT THE OTHERS.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Singapore
bunch of hypocrites. if they want to turn bahrain into iran and grow the bootlegging business, it's up to them. all they will have achieved is turn alcohol from being the biggest legal vice to being the biggest illegal vice. hell, most of the alcohol in the region is hiding in saudi arabia and kuwait anyway, everybody knows that.
the big issue i have against this is that more and more people will end up taking their own alcohol in shot flasks. 10mls of hard liquor can still turn anyone into an uncontrollable drunk.
at least when passengers are being served alcohol, they are also being monitored at the same time and can be refused if the flight attendant deemed it prudent.
the big issue i have against this is that more and more people will end up taking their own alcohol in shot flasks. 10mls of hard liquor can still turn anyone into an uncontrollable drunk.
at least when passengers are being served alcohol, they are also being monitored at the same time and can be refused if the flight attendant deemed it prudent.
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 217
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From: Far away from Idiots
All i can say is that our MPs are nothing but a complete waste of space and no one but them are going to ruin Bahrain and the airline. Or should i say, whatever is left of them..Nuf said.
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 409
Likes: 0
From: South of the border
The longbeard fools are just bandstanding, again.
The true power brokers know that to shut down alchohol alltogether will be business suicide, and that isn't something bahrain can afford to do.
tell them they're dreamin!!
The true power brokers know that to shut down alchohol alltogether will be business suicide, and that isn't something bahrain can afford to do.
tell them they're dreamin!!