Gulf Air Developments
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hey can do all the Iraq flights seeing as they are the acknowledged experts on the area and will have less seats to fill and therefore be far more efficient on the low yield sectors. This leads me to another question that baffles me. If a certain sector flies full, dump it. Another sector flies damn near empty. No problems put a little aeroplane on it. At the rate Gulf Air is going they’ll be flying Cessna 150s everywhere and all the new cadet pilots can do the work.
well said!
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Thing is gentleman, certain full sectors are priced below profit making rates in order to compete with other airlines who are able due to their cost structure to operate them at lower fares, or at a loss just to maintain a "market presence", GF apparently have decided they cannot, or are unwilling to do this..
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Unfortunately, ironbutt, trying to explain this basic concept is an uphill battle in a part of the world where the Laws of Economics seemingly don't apply.
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the jones's do what they do because they CAN. bahrain tries to keep up at great cost that it can not afford, but persists to keep up. bahrain air does not help the issue, like not enough butter over too much bread.
gentlemen, no country is rich enough to run an airline badly. airlines have a knack of humbling the great and mighty. bahrain is neither rich nor mighty. tis time to rethink even the current strategy because it is a strategy which only delays the inevitable, a slow and painful death. offer all gf slots and routes to any one of the neighbours. the up side is bahrainis and everyone in bahrain will fly on newer and safer aircraft to more places than gf can ever offer. swallow that bahraini pride, save that little money bahrain has and let the big airlines operate for you.
gentlemen, no country is rich enough to run an airline badly. airlines have a knack of humbling the great and mighty. bahrain is neither rich nor mighty. tis time to rethink even the current strategy because it is a strategy which only delays the inevitable, a slow and painful death. offer all gf slots and routes to any one of the neighbours. the up side is bahrainis and everyone in bahrain will fly on newer and safer aircraft to more places than gf can ever offer. swallow that bahraini pride, save that little money bahrain has and let the big airlines operate for you.
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the up side is bahrainis and everyone in bahrain will fly on newer and safer aircraft to more places than gf can ever offer. swallow that bahraini pride, save that little money bahrain has and let the big airlines operate for you.
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A few months ago I was talking with a friend who did a few mental gymnastics with the numbers. Given the current amount of money we are losing, it would be cheaper for the Bahraini Government to shut down the airline and send all 5000 employees their monthly paycheck to stay at home or spend their days in the shopping mall rather than to continue running the airline.
Another option (change nothing) is to continue to run an expensive model railroad-cum-flying club that swallows up a third of Bahrain's budget.
Fortunately, the leaders of this country (in their wisdom), reject either of these two visions for the future and are finally figuring that in order to maintain an airline (whilst not ignoring the pressing demands for social housing, medical care, infrastructure and other demands of the country and its citizens), the airline must become more self-sustaining.
Skybeds, other countries "have things" because these "things" either pay for themselves, are run by the private sector, or are paid for by tax money from its citizens. The current Gulf Air business model does not meet the litmus test for any of these situations in Bahrain. In the rest of the world where people may be paying 40% of their income on taxes to the government, they demand fiscal responsibility to keep their taxes from spiraling upwards.
It's not often, but today I have to agree with brassplate. With the changes hopefully Bahrain will end up with an airline that serves its needs much better, costs less to Bahrain and its future generations, and allows Government funds to be redeployed on better roads, sewers, schools and clinics.
Either way, Gulf Air's business model, as we know it, is broken and the airline needs to evolve. Otherwise, the Golden Falcon risks joining the following:
List of extinct birds - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Another option (change nothing) is to continue to run an expensive model railroad-cum-flying club that swallows up a third of Bahrain's budget.
Fortunately, the leaders of this country (in their wisdom), reject either of these two visions for the future and are finally figuring that in order to maintain an airline (whilst not ignoring the pressing demands for social housing, medical care, infrastructure and other demands of the country and its citizens), the airline must become more self-sustaining.
Skybeds, other countries "have things" because these "things" either pay for themselves, are run by the private sector, or are paid for by tax money from its citizens. The current Gulf Air business model does not meet the litmus test for any of these situations in Bahrain. In the rest of the world where people may be paying 40% of their income on taxes to the government, they demand fiscal responsibility to keep their taxes from spiraling upwards.
It's not often, but today I have to agree with brassplate. With the changes hopefully Bahrain will end up with an airline that serves its needs much better, costs less to Bahrain and its future generations, and allows Government funds to be redeployed on better roads, sewers, schools and clinics.
Either way, Gulf Air's business model, as we know it, is broken and the airline needs to evolve. Otherwise, the Golden Falcon risks joining the following:
List of extinct birds - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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i completely agree with you. but if the airline succeeds in making profit it could be a great source of money for the Bahrain government. good one on the list of the extinct birds
but doesnt the word
actually means to develop gradually by a process of growth and change... but the airline is shrinking.
but doesnt the word
evolve
Last edited by Skybeds; 13th Dec 2009 at 11:02.
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sometimes you really just have to spell it out...
PJ, i guess you need to do it for skybeds... as i thought i would for 0-1 earlier...
but then again... why bother? this is not KG.
PJ, i guess you need to do it for skybeds... as i thought i would for 0-1 earlier...
but then again... why bother? this is not KG.
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Thing is gentleman, certain full sectors are priced below profit making rates in order to compete with other airlines who are able due to their cost structure to operate them at lower fares, or at a loss just to maintain a "market presence", GF apparently have decided they cannot, or are unwilling to do this..
I dont think its possible to fly in this region without losing, simply because of the competetion from many legacy and low cost airlines which dont care much about the cash.
It doesnt matter what do you do or what strategy you follow, its no way GF can make money, simply because nobody does and noboy is interesting in doing that in the region.
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hence my solemn solution. let bahrain keep it's meager wealth. let the other cashed up neighbours serve her flying requirements and make the losses. and as pj said, let bahrain use the little money it has on it's infrastructure and people. khalas. that wasn't so hard was it.
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what difference does it make whether i work with them or not? if you must know, i do. but that is irrelevant to the issue at hand. i'll leave tomorrow and find work elsewhere.
i suspect you are local. if your attitude and intellect represent those running the company, there is absolutely no wonder the airline is in the mess that it is in.
what i said stands. it is still the only solution i see. close shop and let the others fly bahrainis in and out.
i suspect you are local. if your attitude and intellect represent those running the company, there is absolutely no wonder the airline is in the mess that it is in.
what i said stands. it is still the only solution i see. close shop and let the others fly bahrainis in and out.
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Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, has introduced a series of initiatives which will result in an annual reduction of around 33,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from its aircraft.
The significant fuel reductions are expected from the proactive initiatives being rolled out by the Gulf Air fuel conservation committee, which is exclusively charged with looking at ways for the airline to reduce its carbon foot print.
“As a pioneering airline in the region, Gulf Air believes it can play a positive role in protecting the environment and help build a better future for our children, the local community and the world,” said Samer Majali, Gulf Air chief executive officer.
“What better occasion there can be than announcing our comprehensive carbon-emission reduction measures, when countries of the world have converged in Copenhagen to discuss climate change?” he added.
Majali continued: “As a responsible corporate citizen we are fully committed to this global cause and these are some of our proactive measures towards this commitment. Besides, as a long-standing member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), we are in tune with the world body’s commitment to achieve carbon-neutral growth from 2020.”
One of the key initiatives the airline has introduced to reduce fuel consumption include flying a more direct route to certain destinations resulting in the reduction of around 22,600 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
In another initiative, the airline has combined the two in-flight magazines, Gulf Life and the in-flight entertainment guide, On Air into one magazine. The new look, Gulf Life magazine, is being produced using a slightly lower weight (gsm) paper to reduce the overall weight carried on board.
In addition, the airline will reduce the number of spare in-flight magazines carried on board and instead make provision for storage and replenishment on the ground at its Bahrain hub and outstations. The combined benefit of these measures will result in the reduction of approximately 600 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission per year.
In another environment-friendly measure, Gulf Air has also reduced the amount of potable water it carries on board its flights by 25 per cent, which will save around 1,800 tons of carbon emissions each year.
Other fuel conservation measures include reduced contingency fuel, acceleration height management and flight spare kit weight reduction that will together save approximately 8300 tonnes of CO2 emission- all intended to improve efficiency while maintaining the highest levels of flight safety and schedule reliability.
Captain Nasser Al Salmi, chief operating officer and chair of the fuel conversation committee said: “We have an objective to conduct all our operations with a genuine, balanced and proper regard for the need to sustain natural resources.
“From reducing the weight of our in-flight magazine to investing in clean-air technology, we are looking at every single area of our operations to find ways to reduce our carbon footprint and help maintain a better environment in accordance with international standards and regulations related to environmental protection.”
Recently, the airline has also chosen the most fuel-efficient options to power its new fleet. The A320 Airbus aircraft on order - three of which that already joined the fleet - will be powered by CFM56-5B engine that will reduce emissions by 200 tonnes per aircraft per year.
Following the signing of a pledge in October 2008, Gulf Air is also working with the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Users Group on commercialization, certification, and provision of a viable market in order to accelerate the development of alternative fuels
Last edited by Skybeds; 14th Dec 2009 at 18:24.
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Good publicity finally
However...
The 33000 Ton CO2 reduction they claim might actually be offset - to an increase, due the recent increase in baggage allowance. Also the ID50 tickets and increased baggage allowance given to reporters, possibly to get this warm fuzzy article, and future ones.
Whoever wrote this article must have been giggling like a schoolgirl the whole way through. If they had a clue.
CO2...
Again the crew take the hit in this issue. Cabin crew baggage reduction... Increase in the pax amount, (and hence reduction in revenue from over weight baggage). Increase in CO2
Operating old inefficient aircraft, and trying to cancel the orders of the efficient replacements. Unnecessarity high CO2
Carrying an FCOM library, 2 to 3 times as heavy as it needs to be because it contains info for the whole fleet. And no one can be bothered directing staff to make them specific to AC. CO2 (not to mention safety issue)
Allowing 3000 'surplus to requirement' staff drive to work. Some only to sign in in their PJ's then go home. (seen it myself) CO2
Many more. To be credible on the 'CO2 bandwagon' you actually have to make some real initutives. Not just make press.
However...
The 33000 Ton CO2 reduction they claim might actually be offset - to an increase, due the recent increase in baggage allowance. Also the ID50 tickets and increased baggage allowance given to reporters, possibly to get this warm fuzzy article, and future ones.
Whoever wrote this article must have been giggling like a schoolgirl the whole way through. If they had a clue.
CO2...
Again the crew take the hit in this issue. Cabin crew baggage reduction... Increase in the pax amount, (and hence reduction in revenue from over weight baggage). Increase in CO2
Operating old inefficient aircraft, and trying to cancel the orders of the efficient replacements. Unnecessarity high CO2
Carrying an FCOM library, 2 to 3 times as heavy as it needs to be because it contains info for the whole fleet. And no one can be bothered directing staff to make them specific to AC. CO2 (not to mention safety issue)
Allowing 3000 'surplus to requirement' staff drive to work. Some only to sign in in their PJ's then go home. (seen it myself) CO2
Many more. To be credible on the 'CO2 bandwagon' you actually have to make some real initutives. Not just make press.
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Reducing CO2 and saving cost? Few examples here:- 2 separate buses from briefing to the airport for cabin crews and flight deck.
- 2 separate buses from bus gate to aircraft for cabin crews and flight deck.
- leaving the APU on after shutdown instead of external power.
- more wood for office renovation. Walking in the pink palace now feel like walking in the maze.
- and what is the point of putting a wall in the briefing room? (spend money putting it up, later find out that it's not working, then spending more money tearing it down. what a great saving?)
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Segregation wall?
Transparency policy?
Covering up indecent exposure?
First came the segregation between rostering and pilots, then between dispatch and pilots, then between cabin crew and pilots, next is a curtain between Capt and F/O ?
Now that we have the wall, every thing is going to be just fine, this is the answer to our prayers, gulf air is heading in the right direction, don’t worry lads.