Gulf Air facilitates electronic ticketing in the region

e-ticketing service to provide paperless tickets for Gulf Air passengers in the region.

Manama, Bahrain _ 13^th April 2006: Gulf Air has extended its electronic ticketing in the region allowing travel agencies in Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates using Sabre Global Distribution System the ability to provide paperless tickets, maximising the ease of use, convenience and lower costs for them and the airline's passengers.

Gulf Air's e-ticketing facility, which was launched in November 2005 on its London-Bahrain-Singapore-Sydney routes, has been gaining popularity as more and more passengers have started using the facility because of its inherent benefits.

The move comes in time for the deadline set by IATA's 'Simplifying the Business' strategy, which calls for the withdrawal of all paper tickets from travel agents around the world by the end of 2007. It is part of the association's continuing attempts to reduce costs for airlines, travel agencies and travellers, offering more flexibility, security and improved reconciliation of all transactions.

"Electronic is the future of ticketing and we are glad to be a part of it," says Vice President Information Technology Jalal Al Qassab.

"Extending electronic ticketing to our customers is part of Gulf Air's 'Smart Airline and Successful Business' strategy and our continuous efforts to serve our customers better."

Electronic ticketing allows storing passenger travel data electronically and is designed to greatly reduce the manual effort spent today on issuing, delivering, tracking and reconciling paper tickets for airline travel.

For the passengers, it offers greater flexibility, as it provides them with last-minute change options and faster airport check-in.

The e-ticket cannot be lost as the booking always remains in the reservation system and can be accessed at any time.

Typically a paper ticket today costs up to US$10 to process, whereas the processing cost of an e-ticket is only US$1. Since IATA processes 300 million paper tickets each year, this means that a full implementation of e-ticketing will save the industry up to US$ 3.0 billion per year worldwide.

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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)