US flights form part of Gulf Air’s long-term strategy

Bahrain-based Gulf Air has detailed its corporate strategy for the five years to 2023, which will see it take delivery of 39 new aircraft and ultimately expand its network to the US.

The plan, which follows a 360-degree strategic review, has seven pillars: safety, network growth, innovation, HR, customer focus, revenue versus cost and the airline’s role as a national economic asset.

In 2018, Gulf Air will receive five Boeing 787-9s and two Airbus A320neos, as the 39 aircraft that it has on order start to arrive. A new business class cabin will be rolled out, aimed at competing with rival airlines’ first-class products, along with new branding.

This year, eight destinations will join Gulf Air’s network, Bangalore and Calicut in India, Abha and Tubuk in Saudi Arabia, Alexandria and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, Baku in Azerbaijan and Casablanca in Morocco. Frequencies will also be added on key routes.

New Gulf Air CEO Krešimir Kučko said the airline plans to strengthen its “regional base,” before adding flights to Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa, the Indian subcontinent and—ultimately—North America.

By 2023, Gulf Air’s network will span over 60 destinations, up from the current 42.

Gulf Air operates a fleet of 28 narrow and wide-body aircraft.

(Victoria Moores - ATWOnline News)