Gulf Air anounces Beirut contingency plans

Manama, Bahrain 13 July 2006: Gulf Air has suspended its flights between Bahrain and Beirut until further notice in light of the recent developments in Lebanon.

Gulf Air suspended its Beirut flights GF 911 (July 12) and GF 915 (July 13), where 176 passengers bound for Beirut have been put up at local hotels. Gulf Air officials are at the hotels attending to passengers' needs.

Meanwhile, airline officials are working their best to provide willing and eligible passengers alternative routes to nearest destinations.

"We suspended our flights last night following the unsafe situation prevailing in Beirut and considering the safety of our passengers," says Gulf Air Vice President Operations Captain Hameed Ali.

"We are in touch with airport officials and other authorities and closely monitoring the developments. We will resume our flights once we are satisfied with the conditions at the Beirut airport."

Gulf Air operates 12 flights a week between Bahrain and Beirut.

Customers can contact Gulf Air's World Wide Contact Centre, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for flight details and bookings on 97317335777.

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About Gulf Air
Founded in 1950, Gulf Air, owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, is the only truly Pan Gulf carrier in the Middle East region.

The regional, geographic and cultural values that the airline has embraced over more than half a century are still central to defining its brand and service ethos.

Today the airline's network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 50 cities in 30 countries. The fleet comprises 34 aircraft and has the distinct advantage of possessing the strongest network across the Middle East.

A platform for sustained commercial operation has been established over the past three years as part of a multi-phased turnaround programme. It has also provided a framework for a succession of innovative products and services including the unique Sky Chefs and Sky Nannies that form part of Gulf Air's 'smart airline, successful business' vision.

International recognition has been achieved as a result of the turnaround programme leading to numerous awards for the airline's innovative and high quality products and services: These include:

Best Onboard Catering in First and Business Class (Skytrax World Airline Catering Awards 2005)
Best designed in-flight magazine (American Creativity Awards,2005)
Middle East Leading First Class Airline (World Travel Awards 2005)
World's Leading Airport Lounge (World Travel Awards 2005)
Middle East & North African Platinum Best Airline (MENA Travel Awards 2004
Most Improved Airline (Skytrax Awards 2004)
Middle East First Class Airline (Arabian Business Awards)
Best new product launch for in-flight services (PAX international Readership Awards)
Best First Class Onboard Food (Skytrax Food Category 2004)
Best Business Class Check-in (Skytrax Check-in Category 2004)
Middle East region's best airport restaurant for its restaurant in Bahrain International Airport lounge (PAX International Readership Awards 2005)