Gulf Air rolls out in-house-trained Sky Nannies

Manama, Bahrain 14 August 2007 - Gulf Air's innovative and award winning Sky Nanny Service received a further boost as the first batch of in-house trained nannies graduated with flying colours.

The 14 Sky Nannies received their certificates after a five-day intensive course held at Gulf Air headquarters. They were honoured at a ceremony at the Cabin Crew Training School at the head office and will be introduced as Sky Nannies in the service next month.

"We are proud of their achievement as they are ready to provide an award winning world class service in the sky and continue to boost the Gulf Air brand," said Gulf Air Executive Vice President Marketing and Sales Lee Shave.

"Our Sky Nanny service is a hit and we are proud of the fact that we are able now to train our crew in house for such a crucial and award winning inflight service," says Mr. Shave.

The unique and innovative Sky Nannies were introduced by Gulf Air in 2003. Since then the Sky Nanny programme is now a core component of our in-flight services which cater to the individual needs of all our customers, no matter how young or old they are.

The crew were earlier trained at the Norland College in the United Kingdom, where trained professionals provide the best care and attention for children.

"We have hands-on experience so we were able to tailor-make the courses to train the crew ourselves to be nannies and also serve the purpose of Gulf Air from a passengers perspective," says Senior Cabin Service Manager Mary Jean who trained the first batch of graduates.

"Our nannies can take care of a child like any other nanny and at the same time they provide valuable services of an airline crew and this is quite unique combination," says Jean who is an academically qualified physiotherapist.

Sky Nannies are trained to do what all nannies do and as an active member of the crew, the basic role of Sky Nannies is to meet and greet the families at the boarding gate and assist to board where needed.

The service has been embraced by Gulf Air passengers since it was launched and there are more than 100 Sky Nannies in Gulf Air service and more are to be introduced later this year.

The Sky Nanny Service has also won several international awards and accolades for its innovative concept, impeccable service quality and professional excellence.

Last year, Gulf Air won the coveted Mercury Award for 2005 for its Sky Nanny service, bagging the "Gold" in the on board service category and the "overall winner" awarded by the International Travel Catering Association (ITCA) - a global association, in which almost all large airlines are members, as are many regional carriers.

-Ends-

About Gulf Air
Founded in 1950, Gulf Air, owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain 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 40 cities in 26 countries. The fleet comprises 28 aircraft and has the distinct advantage of possessing the strongest network across the Middle East.

A new strategy to create a platform for sustained commercial operation has been put in place as part of a two-phased turnaround programme announced in April 2007 by the airline's new President and Chief Executive André Dosé.

Gulf Air's onboard service caters high quality products and services, including the innovative, unique and award winning Sky Chefs and Sky Nannies.

Some of the notable recognition include:
Best Onboard Catering in First Class 2006 (Sky Trax Awards)
Best Onboard Catering in Business Class 2006 (Sky Trax Awards)
Best Business Airline 2006 (British Travel Awards)
Best Onboard Service 2006 (Gold) (Mercury Awards)
Best Onboard Catering in First Class 2005 (Sky Trax Awards)
Best Onboard Catering in Business Class 2005(Sky Trax Awards)
Best designed in-flight magazine 2005 (American Creativity Awards)
Middle East Leading First Class Airline 2005 (World Travel Awards)
World's Leading Airport Lounge 2005 (World Travel Awards)
Middle East region's best airport restaurant for its restaurant in Bahrain International Airport lounge 2005 (PAX International Readership Awards)