Gulf Air signs up for a new Internet Booking Engine

Manama, Bahrain 12 December 2007: Gulf Air, in its progressive march towards offering more efficient customer service, has partnered with EB2 International (EB2), to supply Internet Booking Engine (IBE) solutions and integration services. A long term agreement to this effect was signed between Gulf Air and EB2 recently.

"We want to provide a comprehensive and user-friendly internet booking experience to our customers as more and more customers have started using the internet for booking their travel and related services such as accommodation and transport," says Gulf Air Acting Executive Vice President Marketing and Sales Danny Barranger.

"After carefully evaluating different vendors, we are pleased to engage EB2 International to develop the new booking engine for us. The Gulf Air's commercial website will be deployed upon EB2's next generation platform using latest java technologies."

The new state-of-the-art booking engine offers several features for both individual customers as well as corporate houses, including a frequent flyer miles redemption booking engine.

"We are very happy to work with EB2 as they have extensive experience in IBE development," says Gulf Air Head of Distribution and E-commerce Lars Denlew.

"The new IBE will help Gulf Air to accelerate the internet sales where we have seen an extensive growth this year. The new platform will significantly improve customer experience and offer simplicity yet maximum choice. It will have features like calendar shopping, choice of several products per flight to offer value for price paid and finally easy to select and pay. Your ticket will be issued instantly and can be printed right from the screen. We will also expand our web sales to new markets."

"We are extremely keen to be working with Gulf Air who has demonstrated a significant appetite to accelerate online distribution whilst capitalising on the advanced capability of the EB2 QuickTRIP system. We remain confident at exceeding the expectations of Gulf Air", commented Keith Hyams, General Manager (EMEA & USAC), EB2.

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ABOUT EB2
EB2 International (EB2) is a specialist provider of end-to-end e-Commerce Solutions and Services including Internet Booking Systems exclusively to the Airline Industry. EB2 specialises in Airline Online Retailing enabled through its Self Service Shopping Strategy: www.EB2.com

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 30 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 management.

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 2007 (Sky Trax Awards)

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)