Gulf Air Developments
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This is in today's GDN.. And they want want us to fly to Iraq.
BAGHDAD: A series of blasts in Baghdad killed 95 people and wounded 536 as Iraq suffered its bloodiest day in 18 months. Six blasts struck near government ministries and other targets at the heart of Iraq's administration, weeks after US combat troops withdrew from urban centres, thrusting Iraq's security forces into the lead role.
"This operation shows negligence, and is considered a security breach for which Iraqi forces must take most of the blame," Baghdad's security spokesman Major General Qassim Al Moussawi said.
The government this month had ordered most blast walls in Baghdad to be removed within 40 days, a sign of faith in its troops and police.
In one blast, a massive truck bomb close to a security checkpoint leading to the heavily fortified Green Zone blew out the windows of the nearby foreign ministry, sending shards of glass through busy offices, killing at least 60 people.
The explosion was powerful enough to shatter windows of Iraq's parliament building in the Green Zone.
Another truck bomb in Baghdad's Waziriya district near the finance ministry killed 28 people. Part of a raised highway near the building collapsed.
Another explosion was close enough to Reuters' offices in central Baghdad's Karrada district to burst open windows and doors. The Baghdad provincial government building came under mortar attack, police said, as did Salhiya district in central Baghdad, home to army bases and a television station. Mortars also landed near the UN compound in the Green Zone, startling UN workers marking the sixth anniversary of the bombing of their previous headquarters.
Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki called for a security review, saying the attacks were aimed at "raising doubts about our armed forces, which have proven themselves capable of confronting terrorists".
The US said it planned to go ahead and withdraw forces from Iraq over the next two years despite the "senseless bombings designed to wreak havoc".
BAGHDAD: A series of blasts in Baghdad killed 95 people and wounded 536 as Iraq suffered its bloodiest day in 18 months. Six blasts struck near government ministries and other targets at the heart of Iraq's administration, weeks after US combat troops withdrew from urban centres, thrusting Iraq's security forces into the lead role.
"This operation shows negligence, and is considered a security breach for which Iraqi forces must take most of the blame," Baghdad's security spokesman Major General Qassim Al Moussawi said.
The government this month had ordered most blast walls in Baghdad to be removed within 40 days, a sign of faith in its troops and police.
In one blast, a massive truck bomb close to a security checkpoint leading to the heavily fortified Green Zone blew out the windows of the nearby foreign ministry, sending shards of glass through busy offices, killing at least 60 people.
The explosion was powerful enough to shatter windows of Iraq's parliament building in the Green Zone.
Another truck bomb in Baghdad's Waziriya district near the finance ministry killed 28 people. Part of a raised highway near the building collapsed.
Another explosion was close enough to Reuters' offices in central Baghdad's Karrada district to burst open windows and doors. The Baghdad provincial government building came under mortar attack, police said, as did Salhiya district in central Baghdad, home to army bases and a television station. Mortars also landed near the UN compound in the Green Zone, startling UN workers marking the sixth anniversary of the bombing of their previous headquarters.
Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki called for a security review, saying the attacks were aimed at "raising doubts about our armed forces, which have proven themselves capable of confronting terrorists".
The US said it planned to go ahead and withdraw forces from Iraq over the next two years despite the "senseless bombings designed to wreak havoc".
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Remember what the management said in the meeting on the 18th?
"It is a normal operation"
LOL. What a bunch of idiots?
They thought they were telling "normal" story to uneducated labours who are willing to risk their lifes at any costs.
"It is a normal operation"
LOL. What a bunch of idiots?
They thought they were telling "normal" story to uneducated labours who are willing to risk their lifes at any costs.
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Aircrews seek danger money
By MANDEEP SINGH, Posted on » Friday, August 21, 2009
CABIN crews of two Bahraini airlines are demanding danger money to work on flights to Iraq amid fears over safety.
Both Gulf Air and Bahrain Air are due to commence flights to the troubled country in the next two weeks and it is understood staff have no choice but to work on those routes.
However, the union representing all flight attendants in Bahrain said its members were "concerned and anxious" about flying to cities in Iraq.
Flight Attendants' General Trade Union chairman Saqiq Al Durazi revealed it was demanding danger money for staff on Iraq flights, as well as extra precautions against diseases.
"They are not refusing to fly because that is not the proper thing to do," he told the GDN.
"We are now drafting a petition to give to both Bahrain Air and Gulf Air, expressing our concern at the developments and explaining to them they need to take extra care."
------
It's too long to post the whole thing. You can read the rest here.
There's another two articles worth reading:
Iraq flights in two weeks
Why we are terrified..!
By MANDEEP SINGH, Posted on » Friday, August 21, 2009
CABIN crews of two Bahraini airlines are demanding danger money to work on flights to Iraq amid fears over safety.
Both Gulf Air and Bahrain Air are due to commence flights to the troubled country in the next two weeks and it is understood staff have no choice but to work on those routes.
However, the union representing all flight attendants in Bahrain said its members were "concerned and anxious" about flying to cities in Iraq.
Flight Attendants' General Trade Union chairman Saqiq Al Durazi revealed it was demanding danger money for staff on Iraq flights, as well as extra precautions against diseases.
"They are not refusing to fly because that is not the proper thing to do," he told the GDN.
"We are now drafting a petition to give to both Bahrain Air and Gulf Air, expressing our concern at the developments and explaining to them they need to take extra care."
------
It's too long to post the whole thing. You can read the rest here.
There's another two articles worth reading:
Iraq flights in two weeks
Why we are terrified..!
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Ramdan
Can be both actually,
Folks, lets take a moment to remember the significance of today, 23rd of August, for those of you who have been here that long and can remember, since nobody else does.
A
Folks, lets take a moment to remember the significance of today, 23rd of August, for those of you who have been here that long and can remember, since nobody else does.
A
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any information on that??
Bahrain's Gulf Air may renegotiate plane orders with Airbus and Boeing, the carrier's recently-appointed chief executive Samer Majali said.
The struggling airline, which is fully owned by the Bahraini sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat, also said it was open to merging with other airlines, but is not in talks yet.
Speaking to Reuters in a telephone interview, Majali said the company would "honour the terms of the contract" with manufacturers but may negotiate amending airplane numbers and sizes. Gulf Air has 35 Airbus and 24 Boeing aeroplanes on order.
Majali said passenger numbers were down 3 percent in the first seven months of 2009, while yields were 15 to 20 percent lower, compared with the same period last year. Capacity deployment is "very tight", said Majali, who hopes to achieve results close to last year's in the second half.
"Yields are still quite low and I'm not sure anything, globally speaking, has put major brakes on yields," he said.
The airline has seen three chief executives attempt to turn its loss-making operations around since 2002, cutting jobs and realigning its network as previous shareholders Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Oman gave up their stakes in the ailing carrier.
In 2007, the airline cut jobs and trimmed its network after reporting losses of more than $1 million a day.
Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national carrier, has started reviewing its business model and will put in place a new plan of action with a series of clear recommendations by the end of the year, its new CEO said.
The ailing airline will undertake a comprehensive engagement process with all key stakeholders and audiences including customers, employees, the Gulf Air Union, the business community and government, Samer Majali told a Press conference today.
Outlining the restructuring process, Majali highlighted that the objective was to develop a sustainable business that served the needs of the travelling public and supported the growth of the national economy.
Earlier, speaking to various sections of the Gulf Air staff at a meeting hosted by Talal Al Zain, Gulf Air chairman and chief executive of Mumtalakat, the investment arm of the Government of Bahrain, which owns the airline, Majali said: ‘As Gulf Air approaches its 60th anniversary we have much to celebrate. We are a recognised global brand, with a significant pioneering heritage and a wealth of experience in connecting the region with the rest of the world.’
Majali said the international aviation industry is facing a unique set of challenging circumstances, including the global economic slowdown, the significant fluctuations in fuel prices as well as the increased competition in the regional market. Given these difficult circumstances, there is a greater need for change and the need to develop a strategy that delivers Gulf Air’s future aspirations, he added.
“Gulf Air has not implemented a comprehensive strategy review since we became the national airline, which is only responsible for the future travel and business needs of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Gulf Air is currently not sustainable and is receiving subsidies, which could otherwise be invested in other parts of the national economy,” he said.
Addressing speculation about staff redundancies, he said no decisions have been made yet and it would be premature to say anything now as this was the purpose of the review.
He confirmed that his priority is to complete the review process and to determine the future direction of the airline once it had been completed. Until then there will be no change in the daily operations of the airline.
Majali said: ‘A key priority is to safeguard jobs. Gulf Air has an enviable pool of talent, expertise and knowledge. We need to secure this asset as an integral part of the airline’s business and long-term future. But we cannot rely on government subsidy indefinitely so we also need to build a self-sufficient and commercially successful airline. Saving jobs for Bahraini nationals and all our hard working staff is important and a successful transition will result in more job security, more benefits, investment and other opportunities that deliver a better service for Gulf Air customers. It will also enable us to be a better partner of choice for the business community, our partners and suppliers.
’
Talal Al Zain confirmed Mumtalakat’s support for the business review, stating: ‘Mumtalakat has a responsibility to the Government and to the people of Bahrain to make sure our national assets are being managed efficiently and effectively, helping to drive our national aspirations as highlighted within the Bahrain Vision 2030.’
In welcoming the new CEO to Gulf Air, Al Zain highlighted Majali’s considerable experience in working within the aviation industry in the Middle East and his track record as previous CEO of Royal Jordanian. He said: ‘He has already turned a national airline dependent on Government support into a self sufficient and profitable airline.”
The struggling airline, which is fully owned by the Bahraini sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat, also said it was open to merging with other airlines, but is not in talks yet.
Speaking to Reuters in a telephone interview, Majali said the company would "honour the terms of the contract" with manufacturers but may negotiate amending airplane numbers and sizes. Gulf Air has 35 Airbus and 24 Boeing aeroplanes on order.
Majali said passenger numbers were down 3 percent in the first seven months of 2009, while yields were 15 to 20 percent lower, compared with the same period last year. Capacity deployment is "very tight", said Majali, who hopes to achieve results close to last year's in the second half.
"Yields are still quite low and I'm not sure anything, globally speaking, has put major brakes on yields," he said.
The airline has seen three chief executives attempt to turn its loss-making operations around since 2002, cutting jobs and realigning its network as previous shareholders Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Oman gave up their stakes in the ailing carrier.
In 2007, the airline cut jobs and trimmed its network after reporting losses of more than $1 million a day.
Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national carrier, has started reviewing its business model and will put in place a new plan of action with a series of clear recommendations by the end of the year, its new CEO said.
The ailing airline will undertake a comprehensive engagement process with all key stakeholders and audiences including customers, employees, the Gulf Air Union, the business community and government, Samer Majali told a Press conference today.
Outlining the restructuring process, Majali highlighted that the objective was to develop a sustainable business that served the needs of the travelling public and supported the growth of the national economy.
Earlier, speaking to various sections of the Gulf Air staff at a meeting hosted by Talal Al Zain, Gulf Air chairman and chief executive of Mumtalakat, the investment arm of the Government of Bahrain, which owns the airline, Majali said: ‘As Gulf Air approaches its 60th anniversary we have much to celebrate. We are a recognised global brand, with a significant pioneering heritage and a wealth of experience in connecting the region with the rest of the world.’
Majali said the international aviation industry is facing a unique set of challenging circumstances, including the global economic slowdown, the significant fluctuations in fuel prices as well as the increased competition in the regional market. Given these difficult circumstances, there is a greater need for change and the need to develop a strategy that delivers Gulf Air’s future aspirations, he added.
“Gulf Air has not implemented a comprehensive strategy review since we became the national airline, which is only responsible for the future travel and business needs of the Kingdom of Bahrain. Gulf Air is currently not sustainable and is receiving subsidies, which could otherwise be invested in other parts of the national economy,” he said.
Addressing speculation about staff redundancies, he said no decisions have been made yet and it would be premature to say anything now as this was the purpose of the review.
He confirmed that his priority is to complete the review process and to determine the future direction of the airline once it had been completed. Until then there will be no change in the daily operations of the airline.
Majali said: ‘A key priority is to safeguard jobs. Gulf Air has an enviable pool of talent, expertise and knowledge. We need to secure this asset as an integral part of the airline’s business and long-term future. But we cannot rely on government subsidy indefinitely so we also need to build a self-sufficient and commercially successful airline. Saving jobs for Bahraini nationals and all our hard working staff is important and a successful transition will result in more job security, more benefits, investment and other opportunities that deliver a better service for Gulf Air customers. It will also enable us to be a better partner of choice for the business community, our partners and suppliers.
’
Talal Al Zain confirmed Mumtalakat’s support for the business review, stating: ‘Mumtalakat has a responsibility to the Government and to the people of Bahrain to make sure our national assets are being managed efficiently and effectively, helping to drive our national aspirations as highlighted within the Bahrain Vision 2030.’
In welcoming the new CEO to Gulf Air, Al Zain highlighted Majali’s considerable experience in working within the aviation industry in the Middle East and his track record as previous CEO of Royal Jordanian. He said: ‘He has already turned a national airline dependent on Government support into a self sufficient and profitable airline.”
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This message is hidden because tristarfivestar is on your ignore list. X2
Thank you all who recommended the ignore list, it is most appreciated!
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Saving jobs for Bahraini nationals and all our hard working staff is important
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"We have determined that flying to Iraq holds the same level of risk as any other flight on our network and if we did not have the utmost confidence in our exhaustive studies, then we would not do it."
Source: GDN
Source: GDN
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"We have determined that flying to Iraq holds the same level of risk as any other flight on our network and if we did not have the utmost confidence in our exhaustive studies, then we would not do it."
Makes me feel better too, now I can safely ignore the advice from "my" Ministry of Foreign Affairs to absolutely not travel to Iraq.
This is a statement coming from a company that doesn't give a toss about it's employee's, never has and never will.
Latest is that the Korean c/c managed to get their embassy to send a letter to GF that their citizens are not allowed to go to Iraq.
So for now: no Phillipino and Korean c/c to go on the flights.
Who's next?
Makes me feel better too, now I can safely ignore the advice from "my" Ministry of Foreign Affairs to absolutely not travel to Iraq.
This is a statement coming from a company that doesn't give a toss about it's employee's, never has and never will.
Latest is that the Korean c/c managed to get their embassy to send a letter to GF that their citizens are not allowed to go to Iraq.
So for now: no Phillipino and Korean c/c to go on the flights.
Who's next?
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Gulf Air may cut plane orders
Gulf Air may cut plane orders amid strategy review
Associated Press, 08.24.09
Gulf Air's new CEO says the Bahraini state carrier may need to adjust its orders for Boeing and Airbus aircraft as it struggles to turn itself around.
CEO Samer Majali said in an e-mailed statement Monday the airline has begun "a comprehensive review ... looking at every aspect of the business." It is eyeing "all potential avenues," including partnering with other carriers.
He says the airline's future size and shape are being reconsidered, and that means aircraft orders may need to be adjusted.
Gulf Air last year announced multibillion-dollar orders for 35 Airbus A320s and A330-300s, and up to 24 Boeing 787s.
Majali, formerly head of Royal Jordanian Airlines, is Gulf Air's third full-time CEO in as many years.
Source: AFP
Associated Press, 08.24.09
Gulf Air's new CEO says the Bahraini state carrier may need to adjust its orders for Boeing and Airbus aircraft as it struggles to turn itself around.
CEO Samer Majali said in an e-mailed statement Monday the airline has begun "a comprehensive review ... looking at every aspect of the business." It is eyeing "all potential avenues," including partnering with other carriers.
He says the airline's future size and shape are being reconsidered, and that means aircraft orders may need to be adjusted.
Gulf Air last year announced multibillion-dollar orders for 35 Airbus A320s and A330-300s, and up to 24 Boeing 787s.
Majali, formerly head of Royal Jordanian Airlines, is Gulf Air's third full-time CEO in as many years.
Source: AFP
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The only thing GF had in its name were the airplane orders.but now they want to cut it down.And fly those ancients 340s .I dont think that sheik salman would allow that because he was the one who increased the 787 order to 24.GF takes one step forward and two steps back.