Gulf Air Developments
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Well, there is also the option of getting 3 slots.
In any case, I don't worry about how. If he makes guarantees in writing, I don't worry about how he makes it happen so much as that it actually happens.
As for me, I was open minded about it all and looking forward to see how it will work out to everyone's benefit.
On an entirely separate topic, in a country where a replacement CPR card costs 500 fils, what makes a replacement CMC card worth 50 Dinars?
Perhaps I should keep mine at home in the safe.
In any case, I don't worry about how. If he makes guarantees in writing, I don't worry about how he makes it happen so much as that it actually happens.
As for me, I was open minded about it all and looking forward to see how it will work out to everyone's benefit.
On an entirely separate topic, in a country where a replacement CPR card costs 500 fils, what makes a replacement CMC card worth 50 Dinars?
Perhaps I should keep mine at home in the safe.
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Amazing some are talking about paint jobs,others about leave slots but none-the-less all useless topics especially when you will see what is about to happen to the incredible shrinking Gulf Air.
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all the airlines in the regions are growing. but here GF is shrinking.i bet majali isnt different than all the other CEOs that GF had in the past few years. hes going to suck up to themanagement.Get a pay rise. fire peaple and spend the profit in the most useless stuff ( or maybe him self)
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Er...
To an unschooled outsider like me, it looks like the airline is doing what it needs to do.
Remember, this company is losing $500 million a year and has been for some time. This in the 'least rich' GCC country - Bahrain only has a GDP of around $20 billion. The equivalent of one dollar in every 40 of that is ploughed into a failing airline. Money that could be going into schools or hospitals.
The government has made clear that Gulf Air is really in the last chance saloon this time, and is keen to get shot of it soon. That means turning a profit as quickly as possible. That means hacking back these routes that may contribute to Gulf Air's delusions of being a major international carrier but are bleeding red ink.
Profit is the name of the game, even if that means a fleet of two turboprops serving a few one horse towns in the Gulf. Bahrain has no divine right to a national carrier. Forget competing with Emirates etc, those days are gone, Gulf Air overtaken a decade ago while it was sleeping.
A pared down carrier, serving some less glamourous locations in Iraq, Iran etc makes better business sense. Then by all means once the books are balanced start adding glamour routes to Asia.
But what the hell is the value to the people of Bahrain of allowing this airline to spend tens of millions of dollars of their money flying three-quarter empty aircraft to far-off locales when there are far more pressing needs at home.
Majali comes with a good rep, and did a good job at Royal Jordanian. Ultimately he will succeed or fail on whether there is the political will to ride out all the gnashing of teeth that is sure to accompany the cuts to unproductive nationals that would be part of any credible turnaround plan.
Like I say, I don't know my arse from my elbow. But to express surprise that a company throwing away half a billion dollars a year is looking to make cut backs seems unreal.
To an unschooled outsider like me, it looks like the airline is doing what it needs to do.
Remember, this company is losing $500 million a year and has been for some time. This in the 'least rich' GCC country - Bahrain only has a GDP of around $20 billion. The equivalent of one dollar in every 40 of that is ploughed into a failing airline. Money that could be going into schools or hospitals.
The government has made clear that Gulf Air is really in the last chance saloon this time, and is keen to get shot of it soon. That means turning a profit as quickly as possible. That means hacking back these routes that may contribute to Gulf Air's delusions of being a major international carrier but are bleeding red ink.
Profit is the name of the game, even if that means a fleet of two turboprops serving a few one horse towns in the Gulf. Bahrain has no divine right to a national carrier. Forget competing with Emirates etc, those days are gone, Gulf Air overtaken a decade ago while it was sleeping.
A pared down carrier, serving some less glamourous locations in Iraq, Iran etc makes better business sense. Then by all means once the books are balanced start adding glamour routes to Asia.
But what the hell is the value to the people of Bahrain of allowing this airline to spend tens of millions of dollars of their money flying three-quarter empty aircraft to far-off locales when there are far more pressing needs at home.
Majali comes with a good rep, and did a good job at Royal Jordanian. Ultimately he will succeed or fail on whether there is the political will to ride out all the gnashing of teeth that is sure to accompany the cuts to unproductive nationals that would be part of any credible turnaround plan.
Like I say, I don't know my arse from my elbow. But to express surprise that a company throwing away half a billion dollars a year is looking to make cut backs seems unreal.
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Happy about GF turn around plan and expats leaving...
GULF Air was yesterday praised as the pillar of Bahrain's economy. Shura Council Ali Saleh Al Saleh chairman hailed measures taken by the airline to improve performance and avert losses.
He was speaking as he chaired the council's financial and economic affairs committee meeting in the presence of Mumtalakat chief executiv officer Talal Alzain and Gulf Air chief executive officer Samer Al Majali.
While pointing out that it is time for change in the airline's administrative policies, Mr Al Saleh praised its rescue plan aimed at returning Gulf Air to profitability within three years.
Mr Al Saleh underpinned the importance of retaining Bahraini staff and expressed confidence in the airline's board in achieving positive results.
The committee will meet Mumtalakat and Gulf Air officials next week to discuss the situation at the airlline and discuss the blueprint to turn it around, committee head Khalid Al Maskati said.
The GDN earlier reported that details of the rescue plan were revealed for the first time to members of parliament's financial and economic affairs committee last week . Committee chairman MP Abduljalil Khalil had revealed that workforce cuts could start within a few months.
"It will happen in the upcoming months, when the strategy is implemented," he said.
However, Mr Khalil had said he had been impressed with Gulf Air's new action plan - saying it was the first time MPs had been given a "real plan" designed to steer the airline back into profit.
He was speaking as he chaired the council's financial and economic affairs committee meeting in the presence of Mumtalakat chief executiv officer Talal Alzain and Gulf Air chief executive officer Samer Al Majali.
While pointing out that it is time for change in the airline's administrative policies, Mr Al Saleh praised its rescue plan aimed at returning Gulf Air to profitability within three years.
Mr Al Saleh underpinned the importance of retaining Bahraini staff and expressed confidence in the airline's board in achieving positive results.
The committee will meet Mumtalakat and Gulf Air officials next week to discuss the situation at the airlline and discuss the blueprint to turn it around, committee head Khalid Al Maskati said.
The GDN earlier reported that details of the rescue plan were revealed for the first time to members of parliament's financial and economic affairs committee last week . Committee chairman MP Abduljalil Khalil had revealed that workforce cuts could start within a few months.
"It will happen in the upcoming months, when the strategy is implemented," he said.
However, Mr Khalil had said he had been impressed with Gulf Air's new action plan - saying it was the first time MPs had been given a "real plan" designed to steer the airline back into profit.
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Er...
To an unschooled outsider like me, it looks like the airline is doing what it needs to do.
Remember, this company is losing $500 million a year and has been for some time. This in the 'least rich' GCC country - Bahrain only has a GDP of around $20 billion. The equivalent of one dollar in every 40 of that is ploughed into a failing airline. Money that could be going into schools or hospitals.
The government has made clear that Gulf Air is really in the last chance saloon this time, and is keen to get shot of it soon. That means turning a profit as quickly as possible. That means hacking back these routes that may contribute to Gulf Air's delusions of being a major international carrier but are bleeding red ink.
Profit is the name of the game, even if that means a fleet of two turboprops serving a few one horse towns in the Gulf. Bahrain has no divine right to a national carrier. Forget competing with Emirates etc, those days are gone, Gulf Air overtaken a decade ago while it was sleeping.
A pared down carrier, serving some less glamourous locations in Iraq, Iran etc makes better business sense. Then by all means once the books are balanced start adding glamour routes to Asia.
But what the hell is the value to the people of Bahrain of allowing this airline to spend tens of millions of dollars of their money flying three-quarter empty aircraft to far-off locales when there are far more pressing needs at home.
Majali comes with a good rep, and did a good job at Royal Jordanian. Ultimately he will succeed or fail on whether there is the political will to ride out all the gnashing of teeth that is sure to accompany the cuts to unproductive nationals that would be part of any credible turnaround plan.
Like I say, I don't know my arse from my elbow. But to express surprise that a company throwing away half a billion dollars a year is looking to make cut backs seems unreal.
To an unschooled outsider like me, it looks like the airline is doing what it needs to do.
Remember, this company is losing $500 million a year and has been for some time. This in the 'least rich' GCC country - Bahrain only has a GDP of around $20 billion. The equivalent of one dollar in every 40 of that is ploughed into a failing airline. Money that could be going into schools or hospitals.
The government has made clear that Gulf Air is really in the last chance saloon this time, and is keen to get shot of it soon. That means turning a profit as quickly as possible. That means hacking back these routes that may contribute to Gulf Air's delusions of being a major international carrier but are bleeding red ink.
Profit is the name of the game, even if that means a fleet of two turboprops serving a few one horse towns in the Gulf. Bahrain has no divine right to a national carrier. Forget competing with Emirates etc, those days are gone, Gulf Air overtaken a decade ago while it was sleeping.
A pared down carrier, serving some less glamourous locations in Iraq, Iran etc makes better business sense. Then by all means once the books are balanced start adding glamour routes to Asia.
But what the hell is the value to the people of Bahrain of allowing this airline to spend tens of millions of dollars of their money flying three-quarter empty aircraft to far-off locales when there are far more pressing needs at home.
Majali comes with a good rep, and did a good job at Royal Jordanian. Ultimately he will succeed or fail on whether there is the political will to ride out all the gnashing of teeth that is sure to accompany the cuts to unproductive nationals that would be part of any credible turnaround plan.
Like I say, I don't know my arse from my elbow. But to express surprise that a company throwing away half a billion dollars a year is looking to make cut backs seems unreal.
after those years GF announces that the airline is in a worst position than it used to be!!! with those promises broken, how would we know that this "rescue plan" would not turn out like the last one? Do you think QR is making any profit?? no its not !!!and the airline is still growing!!! I have heard that bahrain is just pumping money into this airline ... i bet most of the money was just used up by the management ...And the only ones who are paying the real price are the employees!!!! Peaple said Andre dose had a good reputation.. so did BN.. and not for get james hogan who made it seem that every think was ok .But , it obviously wasnt! the good old days isnt that far away.. Gf could atleast be one of the "big three (Qatar airways,etihad,emirates)" if the airline is willing to.
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AHHH.......Good old Gulf Air , still making the headlines again.
" GULF Air was yesterday praised as the pillar of Bahrain's economy. Shura Council Ali Saleh Al Saleh chairman!!!" LOL .
Seriously now , with people like this guy running the affairs of the country , what do you expect ? Pillar of Bahrain economy , he says
Capt . C. C Has been told to leave , officially his contract is not renewed and he is being replaced by Capt. N. S. Not that it makes any difference , of course.
The Political pressure on GF by the Bahraini version of Taleban has paid off as one of their candidates will be appointed as a Head in Flight Operations.Insiders say that the actual losses for one of the last few months (either August or September) was a record . More than 1 million US$ per day for that month. There are drastic measures going on to adjust the figures at the moment. Yet , the highly paid elite management are finger pointing at each other publicly or behind closed doors. While high expenditure on trivial stuff or publicity stunts continue unabated , unpaid fuel bills to by BAFCO and money owed to BAS is on the brink of reaching the critical scenario thanks to Mumtalakat.
This is just a snapshot.......
Thumbs up , Krinkle.............................you hit the bulls eyes
" GULF Air was yesterday praised as the pillar of Bahrain's economy. Shura Council Ali Saleh Al Saleh chairman!!!" LOL .
Seriously now , with people like this guy running the affairs of the country , what do you expect ? Pillar of Bahrain economy , he says
Capt . C. C Has been told to leave , officially his contract is not renewed and he is being replaced by Capt. N. S. Not that it makes any difference , of course.
The Political pressure on GF by the Bahraini version of Taleban has paid off as one of their candidates will be appointed as a Head in Flight Operations.Insiders say that the actual losses for one of the last few months (either August or September) was a record . More than 1 million US$ per day for that month. There are drastic measures going on to adjust the figures at the moment. Yet , the highly paid elite management are finger pointing at each other publicly or behind closed doors. While high expenditure on trivial stuff or publicity stunts continue unabated , unpaid fuel bills to by BAFCO and money owed to BAS is on the brink of reaching the critical scenario thanks to Mumtalakat.
This is just a snapshot.......
Thumbs up , Krinkle.............................you hit the bulls eyes
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Some received an email invitation to the following meeting, some did not.
"invite you to a presentation on Monday 23 November at the Movenpick Hotel"
"in English: 10:00am – 10:45am"
Rumour has it that this is going to be a very steep downhill ride.
"invite you to a presentation on Monday 23 November at the Movenpick Hotel"
"in English: 10:00am – 10:45am"
Rumour has it that this is going to be a very steep downhill ride.
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rumor has it moving to short haul airline and downsizing. GF and the government now has allowed someone to come in open up 5 unprofitable routes and now he will completely obliterate the airline. BRAVO!!!! and now they will cry wolf about how bad it is when they have no idea what a airline should actually be runlike........ looks like masalama is in the future for many of us, sad with so much potential thrown in the wind!
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Safety pledge as airline denies midair near-miss
Safety pledge as airline denies midair near-miss
GULF Air yesterday insisted that no passengers were in danger after one of its aircraft came within 800 vertical feet of another plane during a flight to Mumbai.
GF064, with 180 people on board, was travelling towards the Indian city when the pilot was warned by an on board Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) about the proximity of an "intruding" Saudi Airlines plane.
It happened around 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai on Thursday and meant the distance between the aircraft was 200ft less than the specified industry guidelines.
"The Saudi aircraft had climbed 200 feet without permission from the Air Traffic Control (ATC)," said an airport official quoted on the Indian Express newspaper website.
"The pilot of the Gulf Air aircraft had spotted another aircraft climbing into its airspace on his warning system."
The Saudi Airlines flight, with 377 passengers on board, was flying over Mumbai to Riyadh from Dhaka.
However, ATC officials intervened and asked the pilot to maintain its altitude.
"Earlier we could not have spotted the aircraft exceeding its altitude as the radars were analogue, but now we have digital radars that can trace the exact height of the aircraft," the official said in the report.
A Gulf Air spokeswoman yesterday confirmed the incident, but played down safety fears.
"We can confirm that GF064 en route from Bahrain to Mumbai on Thursday, November 19 received an alert from the on board TCAS to climb to ensure it was within the regulation 1,000ft vertical separation minima from another aircraft," she said.
"This is standard procedure and at no point was either aircraft or its passengers in any danger."
Source: GDN
GULF Air yesterday insisted that no passengers were in danger after one of its aircraft came within 800 vertical feet of another plane during a flight to Mumbai.
GF064, with 180 people on board, was travelling towards the Indian city when the pilot was warned by an on board Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) about the proximity of an "intruding" Saudi Airlines plane.
It happened around 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai on Thursday and meant the distance between the aircraft was 200ft less than the specified industry guidelines.
"The Saudi aircraft had climbed 200 feet without permission from the Air Traffic Control (ATC)," said an airport official quoted on the Indian Express newspaper website.
"The pilot of the Gulf Air aircraft had spotted another aircraft climbing into its airspace on his warning system."
The Saudi Airlines flight, with 377 passengers on board, was flying over Mumbai to Riyadh from Dhaka.
However, ATC officials intervened and asked the pilot to maintain its altitude.
"Earlier we could not have spotted the aircraft exceeding its altitude as the radars were analogue, but now we have digital radars that can trace the exact height of the aircraft," the official said in the report.
A Gulf Air spokeswoman yesterday confirmed the incident, but played down safety fears.
"We can confirm that GF064 en route from Bahrain to Mumbai on Thursday, November 19 received an alert from the on board TCAS to climb to ensure it was within the regulation 1,000ft vertical separation minima from another aircraft," she said.
"This is standard procedure and at no point was either aircraft or its passengers in any danger."
Source: GDN
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Gulf Air seeks government bailout
Gulf Air is seeking a government bailout to help finance a new strategy to pilot the airline out of the red.
Officials have knocked on the door of the Shura Council to back them in their new three-year turnaround strategy.
The council offered its backing to Gulf Air's management on Wednesday during a special meeting, pledging that councillors would do whatever possible to ensure that the new strategy was implemented as soon as possible.
Figures presented to parliament last week suggested the airline was expected to post $500 million loss (BD189 million) this year - the equivalent of $1.36 million (BD518,000) a day.
'We will have a meeting with Gulf Air management and Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, under which it comes, to get an insight into the company's critical financial position,' said council financial and economic affairs committee chairman Khalid Al Maskati.
'There is a plan to fix faults in the company and correct mistakes, but it needs financial backing.
'We would back Gulf Air to get it from the government,' he said.
'Finances are required to help the airline develop business and get out of the tunnel it is in at the moment.
'Everyone should take into consideration that the company's contribution to the GDP is around six per cent.
'Gulf Air employs a lot of Bahrainis and any harm to it in the future would jeopardise their jobs and that's something no one wants to see - us, the company's management or the government,' the councillor pointed out.
Al Maskati praised the recovery plan, saying he hoped it would be implemented soon.
'It basically involves rescheduling the travel routes, depending on small and medium aircraft for medium-business areas to cut costs and introducing new routes that are popular in the market.
'Significant innovative ideas have been carried out by Gulf Air such as introducing services to Najaf, for example.
'From figures presented I have seen how popular it is amongst Bahraini and other GCC travelers.'
The meeting between Gulf Air management and council members will take place this week.
The GDN reported last week that expatriates would be the first to go under the new plan, with workforce cuts starting within a few months.
Bahrainis nearing retirement will be offered good packages to encourage them to leave the company.
The new measures have been drawn up following the arrival of new chief executive officer Samer Majali, who officially began work on August 1.
Parliament financial and economic affairs committee head Abduljalil Khalil, who first unveiled the plans, said he had been impressed with Gulf Air's new action plan.
Khalil said it was the first time MPs had been given a 'real plan' designed to steer the airline back into profit.
The MP also confirmed that some of the airline's loss-making routes were expected to be scrapped, claiming they cost millions to operate and brought just thousands of dinars into the company.
However, Khalil stressed that although the plan looked good on paper, MPs had not been told where money would come from to fund the rescue strategy.
Majali, former head of Royal Jordanian and son of former Jordanian prime minister Abdelsalam Majali, took over the reins of Gulf Air from former president and chief executive Bjorn Naf.
The former chief executive predicted last November that the airline would make profit by 2010.
During his tenure, MPs launched a probe into corruption in the airline, which announced in 2007 that it was shrinking its network and cutting jobs in a bid to reduce losses.
However, the investigation was postponed on June 1 to avoid shaking confidence in the carrier during the peak summer months.
The airline warned last August that action would be taken against employees who shirked their responsibilities or were counterproductive to its goals.
At the time, Mumtalakat chief executive officer and airline chairman Talal Alzain claimed it had no plans for mass layoffs, but warned that it would not be afraid to ditch the deadwood.
Alzain also said that the airline was committed to protecting the jobs of Bahrainis and that supporting local talent was the only way the company could improve.
But the Gulf Air Trade Union claimed at the time to have information that up to 1,500 workers were facing the axe.
Officials have knocked on the door of the Shura Council to back them in their new three-year turnaround strategy.
The council offered its backing to Gulf Air's management on Wednesday during a special meeting, pledging that councillors would do whatever possible to ensure that the new strategy was implemented as soon as possible.
Figures presented to parliament last week suggested the airline was expected to post $500 million loss (BD189 million) this year - the equivalent of $1.36 million (BD518,000) a day.
'We will have a meeting with Gulf Air management and Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, under which it comes, to get an insight into the company's critical financial position,' said council financial and economic affairs committee chairman Khalid Al Maskati.
'There is a plan to fix faults in the company and correct mistakes, but it needs financial backing.
'We would back Gulf Air to get it from the government,' he said.
'Finances are required to help the airline develop business and get out of the tunnel it is in at the moment.
'Everyone should take into consideration that the company's contribution to the GDP is around six per cent.
'Gulf Air employs a lot of Bahrainis and any harm to it in the future would jeopardise their jobs and that's something no one wants to see - us, the company's management or the government,' the councillor pointed out.
Al Maskati praised the recovery plan, saying he hoped it would be implemented soon.
'It basically involves rescheduling the travel routes, depending on small and medium aircraft for medium-business areas to cut costs and introducing new routes that are popular in the market.
'Significant innovative ideas have been carried out by Gulf Air such as introducing services to Najaf, for example.
'From figures presented I have seen how popular it is amongst Bahraini and other GCC travelers.'
The meeting between Gulf Air management and council members will take place this week.
The GDN reported last week that expatriates would be the first to go under the new plan, with workforce cuts starting within a few months.
Bahrainis nearing retirement will be offered good packages to encourage them to leave the company.
The new measures have been drawn up following the arrival of new chief executive officer Samer Majali, who officially began work on August 1.
Parliament financial and economic affairs committee head Abduljalil Khalil, who first unveiled the plans, said he had been impressed with Gulf Air's new action plan.
Khalil said it was the first time MPs had been given a 'real plan' designed to steer the airline back into profit.
The MP also confirmed that some of the airline's loss-making routes were expected to be scrapped, claiming they cost millions to operate and brought just thousands of dinars into the company.
However, Khalil stressed that although the plan looked good on paper, MPs had not been told where money would come from to fund the rescue strategy.
Majali, former head of Royal Jordanian and son of former Jordanian prime minister Abdelsalam Majali, took over the reins of Gulf Air from former president and chief executive Bjorn Naf.
The former chief executive predicted last November that the airline would make profit by 2010.
During his tenure, MPs launched a probe into corruption in the airline, which announced in 2007 that it was shrinking its network and cutting jobs in a bid to reduce losses.
However, the investigation was postponed on June 1 to avoid shaking confidence in the carrier during the peak summer months.
The airline warned last August that action would be taken against employees who shirked their responsibilities or were counterproductive to its goals.
At the time, Mumtalakat chief executive officer and airline chairman Talal Alzain claimed it had no plans for mass layoffs, but warned that it would not be afraid to ditch the deadwood.
Alzain also said that the airline was committed to protecting the jobs of Bahrainis and that supporting local talent was the only way the company could improve.
But the Gulf Air Trade Union claimed at the time to have information that up to 1,500 workers were facing the axe.
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Independent survey indicates significant public support for Gulf Air strategic review
Independent survey indicates significant public support for Gulf Air strategic review
Independent survey indicates significant public support for Gulf Air strategic review | Gulf Air | AMEinfo.com
Commenting on the survey, Samer Majali, Gulf Air's Chief Executive Officer, said: "I would like to thank everyone who took part in this survey and I very much look forward to sharing our new strategy with you. This survey has given us clear support for the strategic review. We appreciate that this is only a representative sample pool, but we believe it fairly reflects the hopes and aspirations of our customers, the people living and working here in Bahrain. Without them we don't have a business."
Independent survey indicates significant public support for Gulf Air strategic review | Gulf Air | AMEinfo.com
Commenting on the survey, Samer Majali, Gulf Air's Chief Executive Officer, said: "I would like to thank everyone who took part in this survey and I very much look forward to sharing our new strategy with you. This survey has given us clear support for the strategic review. We appreciate that this is only a representative sample pool, but we believe it fairly reflects the hopes and aspirations of our customers, the people living and working here in Bahrain. Without them we don't have a business."