Well this part of your post is true Midseal:

"and insurance cost are not what they use to be"

The aviation insurance market is well over subscribed with underwriters and rates have never been cheaper.

Gulf Air is taking steps to make itself viable within it's available market. Bahrain does not have an inexhaustible supple of money like the UAE, Qatar and to a lesser extent, The Oman, so it cannot compete and has to make the best of it's current situation.
I can remember when Gulf Aviation, as it was then, was run by Alan Bodger and had the monopoly all around the Gulf, now, facing stiff competition from much richer neighbours, they are having to cut their cloth according to their means.
Bahrain itself is not a final tourist destination but if sensible heads got together it could form part of a Gulf tour with a visit to Iski in the Oman, possibly Jebel Akdhar as well, some gambling in Dubai, Al Alain and so on.
If your idea of a holiday is all about clubs and bars then I would agree that the Middle East is not the ideal option but the Gulf does have a lot to offer a tourist with slightly more aesthetic tastes and an interest in history etc. etc. or simply someone who likes the sun!;)

From what i've heard there won't be any, we have too many with the fleet reduction, but they are figuring (correctly so) that a bunch of us will quit, so that will take care of any excesses.

Gulf Air Press Release ( Exclusive PPRUNE )
 

Hi guys,

I have an exclusive access to the press release ( Powerpoint )

It's avilable through :

http://www.sharebigfile.com/file/145...final-ppt.html

and

ttp://www.sharebigfile.com/file/145360/A--Dose-GF-restructure-160407-final-ppt.html


EXCLUSIVE

Are you sure about that?:confused:

There also seems to be a lot of confussion here as to whether Bahrain is a tourist destination. Yes but only for those of us across the causeway and for the family members visiting the Navy guys.

Bahrain is a Business destination! You would be suprised as to who inhabits those tall buildings.

I totally agree with Desert Storm.
Unless you enjoy being ripped off by lazy taxi drivers, and risking being killed by a drunk Saudi driver everytime you get in a car, Bahrain is definitely NOT a holiday destination.

Interesting...swapping A340s for A330-300s...where will these come from? More importantly, where will they come from equipped with Rollers?

Hub
 

Odmea dont take what I write personally just give valid reasons why I could be wrong.
Singapore is a small island as Bahrain but they managed.
If Bahrain wants to go against most of GCC countries by going west towards the Saudi its good for them but I cannot see how they can be right.
What I meant is that by taking people with proper connection to the countries where the western people can enjoy themselves it will be viable.
Maldives is a muslim country no alcohol allowed to be imported but when people are there you find all you need .
Family tourism doesnt mean to cater only for children.men are tourists as well.

There are numerous errors in his fleet slide. Such as GF has currently 6 A330-300. There is also no mention of the GF SQ aircraft (with 249 seat capacity I believe). I hope all his other info is more accurate.

It was a mistake haha.

Gulf Air made a "Typing mistake" :}

I checked with a spokesman :

It's 0 and now they are about to order 6 within 2 years. :ugh:

Well....the fat lady is singing loud and long....the previous bunch did a lot of positive things to bring GF into a good light, and improve it's image, unfortunately the house was repainted, but the termites in the foundation were not exterminated....looks like the exterminators are here to fix the foundation, only then will the house be rebuilt, on a solid foundation..ensuring it's survival....it's about time...this from one who might be out the door with cutbacks..but it had to happen....and yes the staff travel issue which I would have thought to be secondary issue, was addressed to resounding applause...so they do realize that morale does make an airline work....lets wish them all the success...and personally hope I survive the retrenchment to enjoy the success:ok: ...now I sit back and enjoy the fat lady's song...but I wont be inviting her home..(she looks too much like me):} and for those of you who think GF should follow suit with the other carriers here and be unprofitable just to be posh and save face....maybe WE are the trendsetters the others will be forced to follow at a future date...who can tell...times are a changin' here in the gulf..

Well said ironbutt.

The press release and figures cited by Mr. Dosé yesterday are quite revealing (if not nauseating).

Over the last few weeks on these merged threads, there have been a number of comments and attitudes expressed that can be summed up as "if Bahrain wants and airline, it just needs to get to grips that reality that it will never be profitable and cost lots of money. While at it, make it plush."

I believe Bahrain has made a decision in that regard. It doesn't want an airline. At least not at this high cost. With losses in excess of $1 million US per day, who would? It only makes my mind run wild what airlines like Qatar Airways and Etihad (amongst others) are costing the citizens of their countries on a daily basis. :uhoh:

Those who believe that a good representation of Bahrain is the Grand Prix, the World Trade Center, the Financial Harbor, BMW's, Amwaj Islands, and Durrat al-Bahrain, should take a drive out into some of the other parts of Bahrain to take a look at how many Bahrainis live. These are the people who drive 1980's model cars and live in conditions that make GF cabin crew housing look luxurious. Bahrani public clinics are nothing pretty either. Even a fraction of the $1 million plus dollars that GF burns up daily would do so much to improve the situation of infrastructure, health care and education in Bahrain.

The Bahraini shareholders seemingly have decided enough is enough. They don't need the airline, not at this cost. However, with so much already sunk into it, why not give it a last-chance to become successful? That is what Dosé is now trying to accomplish with what seemingly (and hopefully) is the shareholders full support.

If unsuccessful, from reading the headlines, Bahrainis will be able to work for and travel with Air Asia's Middle Eastern subsiduary which is thinking about setting up shop in OBBI. In that case, even the Company's red and white colors will combine well with Bahrain.


Airline plans Bahrain Hub

1980
 

Panama 4000 of those driving 1980 cars work with GF..wat will happen now.Wait and see or look at Swiss History.

Gulf Air launches $825m restructuring drive
 

By A Staff Reporter
MUSCAT — Gulf Air, the national carrier of Oman and Bahrain, yesterday unveiled a major programme to turn the company around and to get it well again. The plan consists of two pillars to completely reshape the network to better serve the needs of the Oman and Bahrain economies and, to improve customer service through higher punctuality, better reliability and lower connection times. This will require investments in aircraft and ground facilities. The total cost of the programme is $825 million, say company officials.

Gulf Air Board of Directors Deputy Chairman Mahmood al Kooheji announced yesterday that the airline’s operation was currently losing more than 1 million dollars a day and including other costs such as financing ‘the figure would even be substantially higher.’ Accumulated losses and costs, including 2007, would amount to $675 million. “Gulf Air plays an important role in the economic development of Bahrain and Oman. But to do this effectively the airline has to be financially sound, efficient and fully focused on the needs of its customers,” said Al Kooheji at a press conference yesterday, at the company’s headquarters in Muharraq.

“At this critical juncture, we have looked at ways in which the fleet and resources can be used in the most effective way to ensure customers are served effectively, while maintaining operations on a commercial basis. “Together with the airline’s new President and Chief Executive André Dosé, who joined Gulf Air at the beginning of April, the Board of Directors has, therefore, developed a far-reaching, two-step programme to ‘get Gulf Air well again’.” Under the first part of the programme that will cost $319 million, Gulf Air will undergo a major restructuring of its operations.

The focus is on closing the airline’s current profitability gap of $414 million, creating a network that serves better the needs of the Oman and Bahrain business community and, increasing Gulf Air’s customer service level. “The main goal of our restructuring and customer service programme is to increase flight frequencies to existing key destinations and to add new connections to major economic centres that are of growing importance for the economy of Bahrain and Oman,” said Dosé. “At the same time, Gulf Air’s new management will put great emphasis to improve punctuality, reliability and lower connection time for our passengers between their flights.

“We have made safety, punctuality and customer service the key issues of our restructuring programme because we are not satisfied with our current service level. Also, we have to improve the way we communicate with customers when delays do occur.” To achieve its financial and operational goals, Gulf Air will downsize its fleet from 34 to 28 aircraft. In line with its goal to radically simplify the business, the company will move to an all-Airbus fleet. In parallel, the network will be fundamentally restructured.

“We will stop operating to our heavily loss-making long-haul services to Dublin, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Sydney and Singapore. Instead, we will allocate more assets to better serve all important centres in the Gulf and the Middle Eastern region,” added Dosé. “It is our goal to offer each centre in the region at least two flights per day, and often more. The introduction of a ‘wave structure’ of inbound and outbound flights will also allow us shorter connection time and insure better connectivity with our Asian and European long-haul flights.”

The second pillar of Gulf Air’s “get well” programme consists of investments of $505 million to improve the quality of its product on the ground and in the air. The airline intends to refurbish the cabins of its existing Airbus aircraft. In addition, ground facilities, such as lounges, will be upgraded. The fleet simplification will involve the introduction of four Airbus A-321 aircraft, the retirement of the entire Boeing B-767 fleet and the phasing out of the Gulf Traveller brand. Gulf Air will also replace part of its Airbus A-340 fleet by five newer Airbus A-330 aircraft. It would take until the beginning of 2009 to complete the fleet replacement and restructuring programme, said Dosé.

Parallel to the downsizing of its fleet by roughly 25 per cent, Gulf Air’s workforce will have to be reduced, also. Currently, the airline has nearly 6,000 employees. The exact number of jobs that will be cut as a result of the downsizing and restructuring of the company still has to be defined. A portion of the downsizing of the workforce will occur through natural attrition.

Begs the question
 

What the f:oh: was JH doing these last 3 years?:confused:

He should be held accountable in some way. If AD has gained the boards approval to take such drastic measures why couldn't JH have done the same with all his seeming business prowess seeing the state of GF?:hmm:

I note that many of you keep wishing GF luck with AD because of not such a rosy history with SWISS. I dare say it's high time GF'ers start wishing EY luck with JH seeing the mess he has left GF in.:sad:

Oddy

Quite. What was that headline in the GDN oh so short a time ago?

"JOB DONE!"

What a load of bollox.

Come in EY, your time is up!

From Gulf News today !
 

Gulf Air to reduce fleet and drop six destinations
By Habib Toumi, Bureau chief



Manama: Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain and Oman, is dropping six destinations and opting for an all Airbus fleet as the ailing company launches an aggressive programme to reverse daily losses of $1 million.

"The network will be fundamentally restructured," president and chief executive Andre Dos© said.

"We will stop operating our heavily loss-making long-haul services to Dublin, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Sydney and Singapore. Instead, we will allocate more assets to better serve all important centres in the Gulf and the Middle Eastern region," he added.

The company will also reduce its fleet from 34 to 28 aircraft, taking out in the process the entire Boeing B-767 fleet (nine aircraft) and phasing out the Gulf Traveller brand, and replacing their nine A340s with four A321s, two 215-seat A330s and six 293-seat A330s.

But Dos©, a Swiss citizen who took over this month, told Gulf News that the decision to have an all-Airbus fleet was purely technical and practical as the company's fleet before the structure plan consisted of 25 Airbus and nine Boeing aircraft. "This decision is also in line with our goal to radically simplify the business," he said.

Mahmood Al Kooheji, Gulf Air board of directors deputy chairman, said the overall restructuring, at a cost of 310 million Bahraini dinars ($825 million), consisted of a complete reshape of the network and improvement of customer service through higher punctuality, better reliability and lower connection times, and of investments of 190 million dinars ($505 million) from shareholders and financial institutions to improve quality.

Massive losses

"The airline's operation is currently losing more than $1 million a day and the figure would even be substantially higher if we include other costs such as financing.

Accumulated losses and costs, including 2007, would amount to 254 million dinars ($675 million)," he said.

Under the first part of the programme, at a cost of 120 million dinars ($319 million), Gulf Air will seek to close its current profitability gap of 156 million dinars ($414 million).

The fleet replacement and restructuring programme is expected to be completed in the beginning of 2009.

:eek:

What in the world was happening over there?

Kick in bu..
 

Amazing !!AD telling you i will kick you out.and you still Clap.
read Arabic news paper.25% of GF work force will be sacked mainly Foreigners from Flight Operations Department ie 1500 jobs .
PIlots wake up .Start Searching.Bahrainisation is the only aim.
IF GF managment have the GUTS they should release the Ban to ETIHAD .Than you will see who will be left flying the new 330.s in GF.
GUD I saw it coming before.

Bus 787, I agree, everyones job is on the line, but you have to admit, it is a real refreshing experience, being told what the state of the nation really is, and what is going to be done to address the issues at hand. On a side issue, has anyone seen the ETIHAD web site recently? Looks like JH took GF's web site with him on a CD when he went. Also he is very, very low profile at ETIHAD. That must really be hurting his Ego!!!!

Ironbutt
What was the word on this one butt? Haven't seen mention of it anywhere else

overhauled from the top down:ok:

GF in European Media TODAY !
 

Gulf Air confirms plan for Bahrain to take control
David Kaminski-Morrow, London (18Apr07, 08:26 GMT, 276 words)
Middle Eastern carrier Gulf Air’s investment programme will be driven by Bahrain’s Government, which is taking an 80% share of the airline’s ownership.
The carrier, previously owned equally by Bahrain and Oman, is planning to invest at least BD310 million ($822 million) in a programme to reverse heavy losses and return it to profitability.
There have been suggestions that Gulf Air’s ownership would change with any capital injection, and a spokeswoman for the carrier says the airline’s senior executives are now openly referring to Gulf Air as being an 80:20 company with Bahrain the larger partner.
Gulf Air has been turning in a poor financial performance for several years. It achieved a marginal profit in 2004 under a restructuring plan implemented by then-CEO James Hogan but subsequently turned in a BD85.5 million loss the following year.
In 2006 this deepened to nearly BD130 million, against a budgeted profit of BD26 million, and the airline recorded a 4% fall in passenger numbers.
New chief Andre Dose says that the situation at Gulf Air is “more dramatic” than he had expected, and that the airline’s financial situation is “critical”.
Gulf Air’s restructuring programme, which focuses on 12 main areas, aims to cut costs by BD66 million, through such measures as simplifying and reducing the fleet and axing jobs, and generate an extra BD90 million in revenues through improved sales and network refinements.
Dose says this will close a “profitability gap” of BD156 million.
Initial effects from the restructuring will become visible in the next three to nine months, he says, while other longer-term initiatives – such as the fleet revamp – will take up to three years to implement completely.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news

========================================

Gulf Air overhaul to slash long-haul routes and axe jobs
David Kaminski-Morrow, London (17Apr07, 13:22 GMT, 287 words)
Middle Eastern carrier Gulf Air has given further details of its new BD310 million ($822 million) two-part restructuring programme, warning that achieving profitability will mean slashing long-haul routes and sacrificing jobs.
Gulf Air admits that it is losing more than $1 million per day and that its “profitability gap” amounts to BD156 million.
It is to axe its loss-making long-haul operations to Hong Kong, Sydney, Singapore, Johannesburg, Jakarta and Dublin in order to concentrate instead on the Middle East region.
The airline’s newly-appointed chief, Andre Dose, says that the first part of the restructuring programme – costing BD120 million – will focus on creating a network which better serves the Bahraini and Omani business community.
Dose states: “The main goal of our restructuring and customer service programme is to increase flight frequencies to existing key destinations and to add new connections to major economic centres that are of growing importance for the economy of Bahrain and Oman.”
He says that Gulf Air will offer at least two flights per day to each main destination in the region, adding: “The introduction of a ‘wave structure’ of inbound and outbound flights will also allow us shorter connection times and ensure better connectivity with our Asian and European long-haul flights.”
The airline is cutting back its fleet to 28 aircraft and Gulf Air deputy chairman Mahmood Al Kooheji warns that this will mean a “painful” number of job losses. Gulf Air employs nearly 6,000 staff but has yet to indicate how many personnel will be cut.
Gulf Air’s restructuring will also feature a second parallel programme, costing BD190 million, aimed at improving the quality of its product. This will involve such measures as refurbishing its aircraft interiors and modernising its passenger facilities.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news

which carrier is actually making money in the gulf ?

none. They are all toys of small countries with huge egoes and lots of petrodollars. Bahrain's pockets are just smaller than its neighboors...

BD

Dont forget that Mr A.Dose just follows what the board members suggest him! What is particuliarly noticeable is that the expats ( cf the expat cabin crew) are becoming persona non grata in Gulf Air....
Gulf Air suddenly has the ambition...to be a regional airliner!!!:ugh:
Most of the new destinations will be in the gulf with A321 to come .
Dublin was one of the destination which was quite popular and the planes to Ireland were often full, the bkk to hong kong flight was definetely making money!!!!
Then was is the real strategy besides all this new decisions...?:uhoh:

Attn Mr Andre Dose
 

Just got this by email lads
Quote

For the attn of Mr Andre Dose

Dear Sir,

May I first of all welcome you to the Kingdom of Bahrain and Gulf Air and wish you much success in the vast undertaking which you embark upon.

Having been fortunate enough to be part of the vast GF family for close to two decades now I have been a witness to much change. Change not always for the better but change none the less. I must admit that what we are witnessing now has never happened before in the long history of this Airline. Sadly it is a well known fact that when such dramatic restructuring takes place, although perhaps necessary, it sends shock waves throughout the Company.

I cannot comment on other employee groups within the Airline but I can assure you that our pilot community is very much disconcerted with what is currently taking place. I think most of us, and I speak always on behalf of the pilot community understand that the state of affairs of the Airline are such that leave you no other option other than these dramatic cut backs.

Please understand that we have had many a promise in the past by management, only to be dissapointed. PCE's come and go and each and everyone askes from the crew to pitch in and work hard to get the airline out of trouble with the promise of reward. Sadly housing costs increase each year, school fees increase each year and the reward we see now is the dismissal of 1500 of our co-workers.

I do understand that you come committed and enthusiastic to fulfil the task you undertook but please don't expect of us Sir the same enthusiasm because we have seen this all before. We have been given empty promises, we have worked extremely hard the past 3 years, sacrificed our personal life and family life to get the job done.
Perhaps it would be wise on your behalf to understand that this is not a good time to have your pilots in turmoil as most airlines around the world are seeking qualified pilots. I do not intend my previous statement to sound as a threat but more as a reality.

I understand that your top priority at present is to get the "shop" in order but I can assure you that once you do we all expect you to come up with a realistic package of salary, housing and schooling in order for us to stay commited to this Airline.

Qatar Airways recently increased their housing allowance from BD 600 p/m to BD 1200 p/m as well as their basic salary.

Emirates recently increased their whole package

Etihad recently increased housing and the overall benefits package.

Arabia (a small regional airline) offers a total package approximately 25% more than GF

It will not take long for individuals to loose faith in GF management and seek employment elsewhere. Till now no one from management has placed any importance in keeping good honest working qualified individuals in this airline. The cost which the airline has incurred due to the extreme turnover of crew is many times more than if it had offered an improved package to keep it's people. The previous VPO is a prime example of such a manager.

In closing I wish you every success and may wisdom prevail.

Sincerely

A Line Captain

Unquote

well said
 

Very well said Hairy balls and Chris.
Its time Gf realises that pilots shouldnt contine paying for all the fat asses sitting in the offices doing nothing but moving their mouse.however seeing what Dose wrote it seems that they didnt learn.
1500 from Fleet operations mainly foreigners will be sacked.
The sacrifice crew will pay to feed the pegions.

However sincere and heartfelt the letter might be, the reality is that GF cannot turn around in the midst of a "cost saving/prevention" drive and increase the flight crew package.
They will lose people, and many good people due to this. When 25 yr capts are defecting to QR - its indicative of the myopia that affected the management for so many years. The long term cost of this little gem is still to manifest itself. Brace yourselves boys the vaseline has dried up.

frequent flier
 

with all the parle that is ongoing , try and remember that the person keeping you in a job is a customer:D of gf who experiences all those moments of delay with you .:sad:

liteac

The delays GF suffers are NEVER due to crew. Sadly we suffer with the customers waiting on-board the aircraft

We don't all sit on our 'fat arses' doing nothing other than 'moving our mouse'!

There is more to an airline than just its pilots - this maybe a pilot web-site but your statement is unacceptable to those of us who are non-flying staff and work just as hard as you do with the same intent of being loyal, committed, resourceful, and productive contributors.

I for one am sick to my stomach after hearing the talk at yesterdays briefing; discovering that JH only really provided a brand and product improvement at the cost of unbelievable losses and 'bent' profit. I feel cheated by the Oz contingent and wonder if I will ever trust anyone at the very top of this company again to deliver on commitments. I am seriously considering whether I should stay!

Just the same as you however, I don't live in a palace, I have kids going to school - I have the same monetary issues as you. I will (I hope) be judged and rewarded on my performance - perhaps that needs to apply accross the board and include you guys too. Perhaps an extra gold-bar to balance the chip on the other shoulder!

Hopefully the deadwood, the politically connected and brown-nosers will be weeded out this time for good and the stage set for a modicum of success. Inevitably good people will go too, just for the reasons you stated above - that's life. AD I am sure will have more important things to worry about - accept the situation and take a step forward or move on.

Now Icarus, do you see what I mean about MK?

All talk and no substance...remember this!

The previous admin rebuilt the GF brand, now the foundations of the airline are being secured for the future, many of us will be forced to move on, others will have the privilege to stay on and see it through...eventually all the carriers here will go through this same process of evolution..GF is the leader in this aspect...the fat lady is singing here in the gulf loud and long...wake up the rest of you...do you hear her??? "Good night and good luck" to all IB57 signing out:ok:

Gf Union Backs plan
 

Where in the world does a Trade Union say yes to job losses without trying to gain anyting??
But as well said by the Union Vp.the job cuts are expat cabincrew so in other words the Union doesnt give a .....
This was a great opprtunity missed by the GF union to secure something for the future.NEGOTIATE !!!
New Swiss for Ops..is he the new VPO?? I was told call for application for staff for VPO was issued on 19th.Same day he was appointed or this is anyoter post??

HaHaHa look when I joined GF I signed up for the GATU thought it was the "right thing to do"..contribute to the cause....I subsequently found my webmails clogged for the next 3 years over infighting about who was running the union....it took a nasty email from me...re "jackasses" to get deleted from the e-mail crap circulating...I still pay my dues...I still get my BD 1...yes ONE monthly representation...remember ALPA in its infancy....someday long after I have gone to my dmise, the GATU will finally have something to do with T&C's at GF...(inshalla) right now they are too busy deciding who will run the "union"

Ok a trade union like we know it in the western world doesn't exist in the Middle East. so dont bother, they won't do anyting !

I was disgusted reading the front page of GDN yesterday. They wrote: most of the people leaving GF would be (...) Cabin Crew who are 'Non Bahrainis' ... First of all you won't save that much money by axing the Cabin Crew, second this is a category of staff who most of the time is hard-working and underpaid (again see the average salary for CC in Emirates, Ethihad etc.).

If you really want to save money axe all this Medium-Level managers (see W.Walsh in BA), they cost a lot of money and make GF organisation complicated. Plus get rid of these guys who swipe their IDs at 7am and go back home in their cars, just to come again at 5pm and swipe again after a long day of work!

some figures for a thought (2004 figures):

EK: 5000 employees and 52 airplanes (please this are 2004 figures, I know they have more now) so this is an average of 100 people / airplane

QR: 1350 people for 30 aircrafts so this is an average of approx 50 people / airplane

AND IN GF we have approx 6000 people and 30 aircrafts so this is an average of 200 people per aircraft!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No comment.

Cheers
BD

End of GF 767 Fleet
 

What are the news about the last day for the 767? I heard it will end in July. Is this true? If so, when in July? :confused:

i wish i could answer your question ,but the 76CP himself has no idea when:confused: will the last 76 leaves......

Sure the union is behind the layoffs because the "official" line is that it will mostly be expats. They have no idea of the "true" number of the local layoffs that will occur in that company. Just wait and see.