National carrier once again proves its pioneering tradition by joining the select club of ISO certified airlines in the region

Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain: 21 January 2013: Bahrain's national carrier Gulf Air has begun the New Year with a major achievement by earning the prestigious ISO certification for its information security management system.  By winning this global recognition, the airline has proved once again its pioneering and innovative tradition by becoming one of the select few airlines in the region.

Following an independent audit of the airline's information security management systems by RINA - the international ISO certification body - the prestigious ISO/IEC 27001:2005 certification was awarded to Gulf Air. The certification includes the airline's information technology processes and people including information governance, business support, IT infrastructure and information security.

Receiving the certificate at the airline Head Quarters, Gulf Air Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr. Maher Salman Al Musallam said, "We have demonstrated once again our pioneering and innovative tradition at Gulf Air for which we are known for.  The ISO certification is further proof of Gulf Air's commitment to providing a secure and safe business technology environment to our customers especially as we launch our new restructuring strategy that will ensure Gulf Air continues to be the most family and business friendly airline. I congratulate our IT team for meeting and setting global standards that has been officially recognized through this ISO certification."

Added Dr Jassim Haji, Gulf Air Director of Information Technology, "The certification recognizes and certifies the quality standards benchmarks at Gulf Air for establishing, implementing, operating, monitoring, reviewing, maintaining and improving a documented Information Security Management System within the organization's overall business risks and improvements."

"Gulf Air is constantly focused on how to improve the security, performance and availability of its customer and business services; attaining the ISO certification is a significant milestone and validation of those efforts."

Mr. Andrea Di Bella, RINA Group Middle East Area Manager said, "Companies today, regardless of size, need to continuously develop an efficient management system tailored to the business processes, and to use it systematically to achieve competitive advantage.  The implementation and certification of an internationally recognised management system is a proof of this. We are glad to have been involved in the certification process and supported their efforts in gaining this certification."

The ISO/IEC 27001:2005 is a global security standard that sets requirements and best practices for managing an organisation's information assets. It prescribes a risk-based approach to identify, manage, and reduce the range of threats to which information is regularly subjected.

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About Gulf Air
Founded in 1950, Gulf Air is the proud national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain. As a pioneering airline in the Middle East region with over sixty years of experience and expertise in flying people across continents, Gulf Air is today one of the most powerful brands and a name to reckon with in the global aviation industry.

One of the prime objectives of Gulf Air is to connect Bahrain to the Middle East countries and the rest of the world. As such the airline currently operates the largest network in the Middle East with non-stop flights while providing seamless onward connections to other international destinations. The airline's current network stretches from Europe to Asia, connecting 47 cities in 29 countries, with a fleet of 38 aircraft. 

In tune with the Kingdom's economic blue print, 'Vision 2030', Gulf Air's strategy is to build an efficient, commercially sustainable and dynamic airline that effectively serves the people and the economy of Bahrain and represents the Kingdom on the world stage. Reflecting the needs and aspirations of its customers, the strategy focuses on three core areas: a targeted, more focused international network; a superior, more consistent product; and a modern, more efficient fleet that will optimize value. Gulf Air's goal reflects a commitment to the latest aviation technology complemented by the hallmark Arabian hospitality for which the airline is well known.   

Gulf Air was the official sponsor of the 2012 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.

For more information please visit www.gulfair.com

For media enquiries, please contact:
Katherine Kaczynska
Senior Manager Corporate Communications
Gulf Air Tel: +973 17338416 - +973 36500292
Email: katherine.kaczynska@gulfair.com

© Press Release 2013