June 11 – Gulf Air’s restructuring plans are nearly complete and will dramatically transform the airline into a regional airline serving primarily major and secondary cities within a few hours flying time from Bahrain. Chief executive, Samir Majali explained tat all unprofitable routes will be cut and orders with Boeing and Airbus are currently being renegotiated to bring the airline on sound financial footing.
Gulf Air was established in the 1940s and in 1973 became jointly owned by Bahrain, Oman, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar, all of which left, except for Bahrain, to foram their own airlines. Several management regimes over the last ten years have tried to shape a new identity for Gulf Air, but the airline has never turned a profit consistently, and in 2007 was losing US $1 million (Dh 3.67m) a day. Mr. Majali said that up to 10 underperforming routes a day will be cut, and the carrier will increase services to the region. He said Gulf Air will probably fly to 55 destinations by 2012, up from about 45 today.
