Gulf Air Recieves New A320

"AIRPORT OF THE FUTURE"

As reported in the GDN, "Two new terminals are to be opened within four years as a part of a massive BD1.8 billion expansion of Bahrain International Airport. The expansion, planned over the next 30 years, will triple passenger capacity to 27 million a year. Terminal two will be commissioned by 2012 and terminal 1A will become operational a year later, Bahrain Airport Company (BAC) chief executive officer Dr. Osama Alali told the GDN. "The two new terminal will make BIA one of the most modern and futuristic in the world." he told the GDN. "All modern facilities including recreation and leisure area, shopping centers, hotels, and anything else that modern travellers needs, will be Incorporated in the new development. Artists' designs even included a swimming pool. The present terminal building (Terminal 1) will be demolished in 2014 and replaced with a brand new state-of-the-art structure within a few years, said Dr. Alali. "Piling work on the Terminal 2 construction will begin early in 2010 and construction will continue at a rapid pace," he said." In a continuation of the article, Dr Alali stated that along with the current 42 international airlines BIA hosts, United Airlines is expected to begin operations in the very near future, giving Bahrain non-stop connections with Washington DC.

Bahrain CAA Seeking to Attract United Airlines

A mini-report published yesterday, Friday 2nd October, in the GDN revealed that Bahrain's CAA and United Airlines were in talks about the possibility of the airline starting passenger services to Bahrain. The report read "Civil Aviation Affairs undersecretary Abdulrahman Mohamed Al Gaoud received United Airlines managing director for sales in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India Marcel Fuchs and discussed the possibility of scheduling flights to Bahrain. The initiative is part of efforts by Deputy Premier Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa to attract leading aviation companies to Bahrain Airport"

Gulf Air Continues its Support towards "Think Pink-Bahrain"

Gulf Air has once again, for the 5th consecutive year, showed its support and commitment towards the "Think Pink-Bahrain" campaign, having been named the official carrier and platinum sponsor of this international event. "Think Pink-Bahrain" is a campaign aimed at raising awareness of breast cancer, which is considered the second deadliest cancer in women. In order to raise awareness, Gulf Air cabin crew, both male and female, will be wearing pink ribbons on their uniforms throughout the month of October.

Gulf Air Increases Baggage Allowances

Gulf Air, the national airline of Bahrain, has increased its baggage allowances in all travel classes, giving one of the most generous allowances in the world. The new permitted allowances are as follow:
First Class: 50 KG
Business Class: 40 KG
Economy Class: 30 KG
Currently, these baggage allowances are identical to those offered by Emirates. Gold and silver frequent flyer members are given an additional 20 and 10 KG respectively, regardless of the class of travel. This new move comes as a part of a campaign launched by Gulf Air called "100 Reasons to Fly Gulf Air". Ads of this campaign are featured in the Gulf Daily News, a Bahrain-based English newspaper.