Abu Dhabi 4 July 2003 - Gulf Air’s operations to Cochin with Air India are set to begin on 14 July, following the final endorsement of the bilateral and commercial arrangements by the civil aviation authorities in India.
Operated on Gulf Air’s newly configured two-class Airbus A320, flights will commence from Bahrain through Abu Dhabi to Cochin on GF270 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 21.45 with effect from 14 July.
Following a brief 40-minute transit time, the flights depart Abu Dhabi at 00.30 each Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday to arrive in Cochin at 06.00.
Flights will depart Cochin on GF271 every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 07.00 local time arriving in Abu Dhabi at 09.25, where the transit time is just 45 minutes. GF271 arrives in Bahrain at 10.15.
“It is evident that this step is in sync with the needs of our customers,” said John Butler, Vice President Marketing and Sales at Gulf Air.
“We have already experienced overwhelming demand for the first flights, and reservations for the coming months are extremely positive.
We hope to extend the service soon to operate five flights a week.”
“I would like to thank the Indian Government and the Civil Aviation Authorities for extending their support and co-operation to this service,” said Fareed Al Alawi. Vice President Network at Gulf Air. “This venture offers new opportunities to consolidate and complement the historic ties and the strong relationship between Gulf Air’s owning states and India.”
“We are committed to extending the services we offer into the Subcontinent to serve our customers more effectively with increased frequencies and more destinations,” he added.
“Cochin is a key gateway into Kerala and an increasingly popular tourist destination,” said John Butler. “Our collaboration with Air India on this service will serve the people of this region and is important to encourage and facilitate tourism.”
Gulf Air’s network, which stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 45 cities in 33 countries, is subject to ongoing optimisation and expansion, with a focus on providing daily flights wherever possible to all key destinations, to provide the shortest possible flight times and greater levels of passenger convenience and comfort.
The airline is committed to building on its strong regional network around the GCC and Pan Arab region, with increases in daily frequencies and more convenient connections from Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Muscat to key destinations in the Gulf, Africa, the Indian Subcontinent and the Far East. Gulf Air also operates direct daily services into London, Paris and Frankfurt from its gateways in the Gulf.
-Ends-
About Gulf Air
Gulf Air was founded in 1950. Today, it is owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain, Oman and the UAE, and is the only truly pan Gulf airline in the region. The airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 45 cities in 33 countries. The fleet is one of the most modern in the Middle East and comprises 33 aircraft.
The airline is in the first year of a three-year strategic recovery programme, headed by President and Chief Executive, James Hogan. The airline’s aim is to further evolve by taking its renowned cultural strengths, which have been gained over more than half a century, into a global environment.
For information, please contact:
Ahmed Hussain Al Janahi
Tel: +973 338 080
Fax: +973 338 207
E-mail: ahmed.aljanahi@gulfairco.com
Web: www.gulfairco.com
Anne Tullis
Tel: +973 338 202
Fax: +973 338 207
E-mail: anne.tullis@gulfairco.com
Web: www.gulfairco.com
© Press Release 2003
