Manama, Bahrain 20 September 2012: Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, today celebrated the re-launch of flights to four prominent Iraqi destinations commencing with the first Al Najaf flight which departed Bahrain International Airport this morning. Al Najaf is the first destination to reopen with 4 weekly flights (which will be increased to daily from 1st December).
Commenting on the flight's re-launch, Gulf Air Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mr. Maher AlMusallam said: "We are pleased to be resuming flights to Iraq as it has been an important market for us over the years. Moreover, we have seen strong bookings since the announcement of the re-opening of our routes, and we are definitely starting off as we mean to go on."
Flights to Baghdad, Erbil and Basra in Iraq will begin progressively between 21st September and 29th October 2012. Baghdad will launch on 21st September with 5 weekly flights while Erbil will launch effective from 23rd September with 4 weekly flights increasing to daily from 28th October and Basra will launch on 29th October with 3 weekly flights increasing to 4 from 1st December.
Flight schedule for Iraq
Najaf - from 20 September with 4 weekly flights increasing to daily from 01 December
Baghdad - from 21 September with 5 weekly flights
Erbil - from 23 September with 4 weekly flights increasing to daily from 28 October
Basra - from 29 October with 3 weekly flights increasing to 4 from 01 December
About Gulf Air
Founded in 1950, Gulf Air is the proud national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain. As a pioneering airline in the Middle East region with over sixty years of experience and expertise in flying people across continents, Gulf Air is today one of the most powerful brands and a name to reckon with in the global aviation industry.
One of the prime objectives of Gulf Air is to connect Bahrain to the Middle East countries and the rest of the world. As such the airline currently operates the largest network in the Middle East with non-stop flights while providing seamless onward connections to other international destinations. The airline's current network stretches from Europe to Asia, connecting 48 cities in 30 countries, with a fleet of 37 aircraft.
In tune with the Kingdom's economic blue print, 'Vision 2030', Gulf Air's strategy is to build an efficient, commercially sustainable and dynamic airline that effectively serves the people and the economy of Bahrain and represents the Kingdom on the world stage. Reflecting the needs and aspirations of its customers, the strategy focuses on three core areas: a targeted, more focused international network; a superior, more consistent product; and a modern, more efficient fleet that will optimize value. Gulf Air's goal reflects a commitment to the latest aviation technology complemented by the hallmark Arabian hospitality for which the airline is well known.
Gulf Air is the official sponsor of the 2012 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
For more information please visit www.gulfair.com
For media enquiries, please contact:
Katherine Kaczynska
Senior Manager Corporate Communications
Gulf Air Tel: +973 17338080
+973 36500292
Email: katherine.kaczynska@gulfair.com
© Press Release 2012
