Didn't he mention B747-400s once on GDN a few months back?

You're absolutely right, Krinkle!
On today's Gulf Daily News:
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story...&IssueID=30217

And further in the Business section....

http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story...&IssueID=30217

At the end of the day gentleman, all the quotes, media gaffes, and criticisms aside, GF is finally being recognized as an asset vs a liablility to the Kingdom of Bahrain, and will be managed/promoted accordingly..all the inter-nation partner squabbling is over, and the leaders of Bahrain are ready to get on with the mission...so for those of us whom have chosen to stay the course..lets sit back and enjoy and reap the benefits...and to those who have chosen otherwise, best wishes and happy flying...bigger is not always better...

better than a car from a used car salesman i guess.

Get rid of this idiot
 

We all know that GF has an opportunity to carve itself out as a niche carrier (or boutique airline :)) serving the interests of the Kingdom of Bahrain and making a positive financial contribution.
What GF does not need is some idiot of a chairman, who has no real clue about commercial business, let alone buying planes and probably sees himself wanting to upstage the chairmans' of EK and EY in their home turf.

What fleet size does a GF that serves Bahrain's interest really need - is it 10, 20, 30, or 50+ ? First point is work out where yours business ties are, etc, etc.
This all seems like a bit of dejavu as this exercise was done a few years back with Hogan but nothing. Hopefully someone has dusted off the presentation and is reading it.

IB57

my girlfriend would not agree with you:E she reckons bigger IS better:E;)

it became MITRE 10 advertisement

Gulf Air plans to expand its fleet to between 45 and 50 aircraft over the next 10 to 15 years in a strategy designed to make it the region's carrier of choice.
It will rebuild its fleet with new aircraft from both Boeing and Airbus, having previously favoured the European aircraft maker for its fleet.
Gulf Air chairman of the board of directors Mahmood Al Kooheji, made the announcement at a meeting held after the opening of the Worldwide Airlines Customer Relations Association Conference at the Gulf International Convention Centre.
He said that the airline already had its strategy in place but it had decided the way forward at two board meetings before Eid.
He revealed that Boeing was back in favour and the carrier had already decided to lease two new Boeing 737s.
The airline is also expected to place orders worth BD350 million for new wide bodied jets as part of a 10-year upgrade of its fleet at next month's Dubai 2007 airshow.
"We have made all the changes we need to make. Now we look to the future, he said.
"We will review the whole fleet and will equip with the right aircraft for our customers.
"What we are deciding now will be the strategy for the next 10 to 15 years.
"We are talking to both Boeing and Airbus. We do not want to be constrained by choosing just one aircraft builder."
The company currently has 36 aircraft and operate 28 on scheduled flights and use the others as back up when flights fail to connect on time. The current fleet has an average age of about 12 years.
Commenting on the move to have both Boeing and Airbus in the new fleet, Mr Al Kooheji said: "If you go to a car showroom and see a better car that the one you came to see you are going to go for that.
"It will be the same when we are buying aircraft. We will encourage competition between the aircraft builders."
He said that on an average, more than 80 per cent of flights were on time and recently it hit 92pc.
Gulf Air has also dramatically reduced the number of cancellations that used to dog its services. :D

Fadac What ? U Mean Fadec ? And What Is New About U R Statement That Was Already In Gdn Few Days Ago

Gulf Air received their first B738 seen yesterday.

Has anyone taken pictures of the 737-800? I have heard it is in hybrid colours.

Furthermore when will the second 737-800 arrive?

Saw one coming into BAH this morning at 0100 UTC. Reg D-AXLE

Thanks Sharksucker,

think D-AXLE is the first 737. This aircraft was wet-leased to Tuifly (HF) before by XL-Airways.

So finally there is a picture of the 737-800 and an own thread at airliners.net:

http://www.airliners.net/discussions....main/3675400/

Nice AC...does it have the flipped up wing tips? Also the inter pic looks like it's an all J Class config? Or it just doesnt have the divider wall between J and Y.....Anyone actually been inside yet and able to comment?

I's also like to see the golden 'condom' - looks a bit bland without..pity as the GF livery is without doubt one the most striking of any carrier. I also really liked the 50th anniversay livery now that was awsome!

Oddy

looks really sharp compared to the 320s.. haven't been inside, but looks the leather seats are actually in economy. Very nice!