Bangkok--Nov 16--Mind Touch
Gulf Air is a major carrier of premium tourist trade into Thailand from the Middle East, Africa and Europe, with new services to/from Dublin in Ireland and South Africa’s Johannesburg starting December
Gulf Air, which links Bangkok with the Middle East, Africa and Europe, has soared in its first and business class rankings against other airlines worldwide and has won an Oscars-style award for its inflight magazine.
World-leading aviation research firm Skytrax pushed Gulf Air up to 6th position from 16th in the best airline league for first class travel, up 20 places to 2nd for first class seating comfort and declared Gulf Air the world’s best provider of first class onboard catering.
In business class, the Skytrax audit pushed Gulf Air up to 12th place from 21st as the world’s best airline and up to 1st place from 11th in onboard catering.
In the cabin service category, Gulf Air moved up five places to 15th best in the world in business, and remained 15th best in first class. The airline moved up 25 places to 20th best in the world in business class seating comfort and 10 places up to 16th best in the world in the lounge staff service category.
The airline’s inflight magazine, Gulf Air, was named Best Inflight Entertainment Guide at the 17th annual Avion Awards — known as the “Oscars for the airline industry” — run by the World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA).
Judges reported that Gulf Air’s visually-led articles are intelligent and informative and are accompanied by award-winning photography.
They added that many articles highlight aspects of Arab culture that Westerners will find interesting in helping to answer questions about the Middle East. Gulf Air articles were also said to be entertaining in their coverage of Gulf Air destinations, as well as lifestyle topics of interest to the international traveller.
Gulf Air President and Chief Executive James Hogan said: “As we move into the next stage of our growth strategy, we are acutely aware that what really sets airlines apart today is service and comfort. What we are now offering is new, unique and extraordinary. We look forward to providing these new services into Dublin and Jo’burg.”
Numbers of Thailand visitors from the Middle East rose by more than 40% in 2004 and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is keen to appeal to more Arab tourists, who have high disposable incomes and tend to holiday in Thailand with their extended families.
About Gulf Air
Founded in 1950, Gulf Air is presently owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is the only truly pan-Gulf carrier in the region.
More than half a century later, the regional, geographic and cultural values that the airline has embraced over more than half a century are still central to defining our brand and service ethos.
Today the airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 44 cities in 30 countries. The fleet comprises 34 aircraft.
Under President and Chief Executive James Hogan, the successful implementation of the first phase of a restructuring programme, which began in 2003, has resulted in the establishment of a platform for sustained commercial operation.
It has also provided a framework for a succession of innovative products and services including the unique SkyChefs and Sky Nannies that form part of Gulf Air’s ‘boutique airline’ vision.
The dramatic turnaround in fortunes has won international recognition. The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) presented the airline with the prestigious Airline Turnaround of the Year Award for 2003. Gulf Air also received the 2003 Platinum Award for the Best Airline in the Middle East and North Africa, which saluted the airline’s commitment to service excellence. Other awards include:
Winner - Middle East & North African Platinum Best Airline Travel Award 2004
Winner - Skytrax Most Improved Airline Award 2004
Winner - Skytrax Best First Class Onboard Food Category 2004
Winner - Skytrax Best Business Class Check-in Category 2004
Official airline and sponsor of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2006
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