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Gulf Air Developments

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Gulf Air Developments

Old 28th Dec 2012, 18:43
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Panama Jack. A sad loss loss if you really decide to stop posting. Do not listen to those who, probably have an agenda. Look back over the pages & note that you have support. This IS a rumours & news network for professional pilots. The "rumours" might be disturbing but there is never smoke without fire. Keep posting & keep offering great support. Please.
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Old 28th Dec 2012, 18:53
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But horror stories are emerging of people flying around with gear down up to 10000, circuits at 300 feet, getting lost in DXB.
Please don't tell me this is true. I speak for what I see and do in the Embraer. Everyone is trying to be super efficient, ie; flightplan fuel as much as possible, efficient this that and the other, single pack on the ground to reduce APU fuel burn, thrust idle descents, visual approaches to cut fuel and time, asking for shortcuts and optimum levels.

Anyway, if it doesn't help annyone's case, it fun for sure. And I can use a bit of fun in these dark times...
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Old 29th Dec 2012, 06:22
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You wanna hear more horror stories.. Get an insiders guide to a few of the competitors incidents..fast expanding airlines are pushed to lower their minimum experience requirements to crew flights, but incidents are all very hush hush.
On a brighter note i hear both GF & QR secured the saudi contract to the contrary of what the GDN said, but only an official statement would confirm.
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Old 29th Dec 2012, 06:32
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The Black Light

Gulf Air, Qatar Airways Win Saudi Domestic-Route Licenses


By Deema Almashabi - Dec 28, 2012 5:35 PM GMT+0300Gulf Air and Qatar Airways have been awarded licenses to operate domestic and international flights in Saudi Arabia, the kingdom’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, or GACA, said in an e-mailed statement today.
The two airlines were among 14 who applied for the license.
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Old 29th Dec 2012, 09:53
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Buba, front page of GDN also confirms:
Saudi licence for Gulf Air

riYaDh: Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) has awarded carrier licences to Gulf Air and Qatar Airways – the first foreign airlines to win such a licence in the kingdom, the Saudi state news agency SPA reported yesterday. The licence, which 14 companies had applied for, is to operate both local and international flights, GACA has previously said. Until now only the national carrier Saudi Airlines and budget airline National Air Services have serviced a domestic market of around 27 million people.

However, having to compete on those with QR is bad news.

@ Landflap, think it is a bit premature to post that the Embraer guys have had their marching orders if even the most junior Emb pilot hasn't heard anything from GF yet. There are rumours and there is scaremongering! Lets try to stay professional here.
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Old 29th Dec 2012, 11:06
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Finaly the GDN got the facts right, they had an article a couple of weeks ago saying otherwise. Well hopefully GF gets its house in order, somehow i feel this time round they'r a bit more serious about gettin things done... Well hopefully lol.
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Old 29th Dec 2012, 15:12
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It will be interesting to see how they plan to level the playing field for the newcomers in the Saudi domestic market. There are very few routes that are suitable for the A320 and with a fare structure that is about 10 years old, its questionable if these routes will be viable?

They could allow open fare structures, but that will have an impact on the countries inflation.

Neither Jeddah nor Riyadh have the required ramp/gate space for any major influx of GF/QR planes.

This will be fun to watch

Mutt
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Old 30th Dec 2012, 03:12
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To begin with one 330 is grounded and 3 more will be grounded in the coming week
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Old 30th Dec 2012, 03:59
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3 more A330's or in general 3 more aircraft? Engineering is saying the same thing about the Embraers but instead they keep flying in Jan and maybe even Feb

Why on earth would you park the Embraers when the routes they operate are not affacted by this downsizing and those routes are not financially viable if the Airbus operates them? The only argument I keep hearing is high maintenance cost. That wouldn't be so high if you had a bigger fleet of them. Anyway, that's a different discussion...

Last edited by John21UK; 30th Dec 2012 at 04:03.
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Old 30th Dec 2012, 06:23
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Therz rumours that 2 330s are on their way in march 2013. Wonder if all the 330 orders got converted to 320, if not, did they mange to get out of the purchase. Anyways them 320s we have now are all leased i'v been told. It might look like 19 320, 6 330 on the short term 'plan'.

On a different note, a few departments have been shutdown.. The useless cabin appearance department one of them and existing departments to be reduced in size.

Also heard 320 back to 5 crew, 330 10 crew.
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Old 30th Dec 2012, 06:46
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Maybe I'm stupid, but whith the Saudi rights for international flights I think we need more aircraft. Reducing fleet now, with a Christmas gift like this one, is ridiculous. We need airplanes and pilots Don't ya think
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Old 30th Dec 2012, 09:00
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Exactly and do it asap before QR sweeps in. Now is the time to make money and get a solid show up and running with loyal customers.

It should be all hands in deck and use all available assets.
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Old 30th Dec 2012, 10:55
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Well what about the C Series?

Our last pilot meeting with Majali - he told us that we gulf air is going to be the launching customer for bombardier in the middle east. He was very assuring with his answers... He also told us about the renegotiations with airbus in which the A320 replacing the A330 hence it was confirmed a few weeks ago.

Grounding the A330 - It will be very interesting to see the big local boys flying the A320 instead of the A330... Personally I can't see it happening - it will be like a storm in a tea cup. Maybe grounded in Bahrain and then used in Saudi Arabia...

Well let's wait a few more days!!!
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Old 30th Dec 2012, 12:14
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It appears that the license was issued to Gulf Air and Partners...... so who are these partners? Will you actually see present GF assets assigned to Saudi routes, or a new low cost based airline established based in Saudi?

Mutt
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Old 30th Dec 2012, 18:35
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It will take up to 6 months to start operating in SA
Grounding the A330 has nothing to do with SA license...
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Old 1st Jan 2013, 11:12
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Gulf Air Developments

Hi guys after few years in this company i'm disappointed to see what's going on and the change of attitude regarding expat. We are no more wellcome in this country. Art direction is clear. Time to eject.
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Old 1st Jan 2013, 11:13
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Gulf Air Developments

Happy last year in GF.
Happy new year!
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Old 1st Jan 2013, 13:49
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Interesting comment, do you think if this is the case, it's a Bahrain thing or a Gulf Air thing? Do you feel this at work or at play?

I am genuinely interested in what other expats are feeling right now. Anger, frustration, disappointment, relief etc.

Cheers, and yes, hope we all have good year ahead.

One last thought...if the rumoured changes do occur, there will be nobody to blame anymore i.e. Hogan's fault, Majali's etc. Interesting times for sure. Good Luck all.

Last edited by Che Guevara; 1st Jan 2013 at 14:03.
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Old 2nd Jan 2013, 13:23
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It appears that the license was issued to Gulf Air and Partners...... so who are these partners?
For Gulf Air, i am told it is the Qahtani group. Gulf Air is merely an 'adviser' since the group has money but no experience in the aviation business.
Given the fare structure and capping that is implemented, the venture is sure to be a loss maker unless the can open up international routes fast. The fact that Qatar is also involved could mean that they will have much more resources and probably introduce lower the fares to the international markets and this will get the Gf and Qahtani group out of the market fast as I doubt they can take the losses.
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Old 2nd Jan 2013, 15:19
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Well my question is ... Are gulf air going to run the show ie Wet lease in Saudi Arabia?

I am told that next week the decision about downsizing and making expat pilots redundant is going to take place...

My moral is so low - I hope gulf air management will sort this issue ASAP. I have a family here... It takes time to sort out my future - and unfortunately I have to drag my family with it.
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