Bahrain Air to fly to Jeddah, Kochi

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Strengthens network, charts growth strategy
Bahrain AirBahrain Air, which made debut at the Bahrain International Travel Exhibition (BITE) 2008, announced more destinations to enhance its existing network. The new destinations include Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Kochi in India. The airline also announced resumption of flights to Beirut from tomorrow. The new destinations are seen as a vital pillar of airline's strategy to enhance its network across the region.

The announcement was made at BITE by the top management of the company. The exhibition has recorded 5000 visitors on day one. Bahrain AirBahrain Air was launched in February as Bahrain's first premium low-cost carrier and in the last three months has made its mark in the air travel sector of the GCC and the Middle East. Bahrain AirBahrain Air is participating in Bahrain International Travel Exhibition and will greet customers at its own stand.

Bahrain AirBahrain Air's presence at BITE 2008 is an important milestone, a senior official at the airline said. He added: "Bahrain AirBahrain Air is gaining widespread popularity as the people's airline of choice, acknowledged for its low fares, punctuality, swift transit time and comfortable in-flight experience. The Bahrain AirBahrain Air stand at BITE 2008 will give media, organisations and the public in general the opportunity to interact with the staff of the carrier and learn more about its current and future services and destinations."

Ibrahim Al Hamer, Bahrain AirBahrain Air Managing Director said: "It is a great opportunity for Bahrain AirBahrain Air to take part in one of the most important International Travel Exhibitions in the travel and tourism sector. The participation of Bahrain AirBahrain Air in the exhibition will play a significant role in building strong relationships with regional partners to offer our customers more value, adding more agents and partners to make ourselves more accessible to our customers."

He added: "I would like to announce that we are launching our 10th destination which is Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The flights will commence on June 11 with 4 weekly flights, and after a long market research we finalised the schedule that passengers will find very convenient - both business travellers and regular passengers. Twice weekly we will be having morning flights that will take off at 11 am and twice weekly, flights will take off from Bahrain International AirportBahrain International Airport at 11pm.

Soha Al Borshaid, Bahrain AirBahrain Air Corporate Communication Assistant Manger said: "This is an extremely exciting time for the Middle East travel and hospitality sector. Not only will it raise awareness but also strengthen our network and relations and we are looking forward to great results from our participation.

This summer has begun positively with a combination of high growth and significant infrastructure investments across the region. Bahrain AirBahrain Air's participation in BITE, which is expected to attract 150 exhibitors from 50 countries, comes in line with our vision of promoting growth through increased cooperation among all those involved in the industry."

BITE 2008 is the fourth consecutive exhibition held under the patronage of Shaikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Chairman of the Economic Development Board. The exhibition will run till May 17. BITE 2008 continuous to live on its objective of being a catalyst to strengthen the rapidly growing tourism business in Bahrain and the region by offering innovative ideas and exciting destinations to existing clients while endeavouring to develop a host of new clientele. BITE offers the ideal platform for the display of novel products, promotions and launches of new products and services and Bahrain AirBahrain Air's presence strengthens its offer this year.

Currently, Bahrain AirBahrain Air operates services to two GCC destinations, Dubai and Doha. It also flies to Amman, Damascus and Beirut in the Middle East and operates a service to Mashad in Iran. Bahrain AirBahrain Air's first North African service started with Alexandria in March 2008.

Bahrain AirBahrain Air has already announced its inaugural service to the Indian subcontinent with its first flight to Kochi taking off on May 26 and its second destination in Syria, Aleppo will commence in June 2008. By the end of this year, Bahrain AirBahrain Air will also fly to Kuwait in the GCC and Dhaka and Kathmandu in the Indian sub-continent.

GF to resume Beirut flights

Gulf AirGulf Air will resume flights to Beirut today, nine days after it stopped flights to Lebanon following the flare up of domestic tensions in that country. The flight GF9111 is expected to take off at 11.30 pm and return the same day.

By Mahmood Rafique

© Bahrain Tribune 2008