Gulf Air has signed a memorandum of understanding today with Evergreen to work together on a number of joint venture projects.
The projects include exploring the feasibility of partnerships in freighter operations to serve regional and long haul markets.
The MOU was signed by Gulf Air President and Chief Executive James Hogan and Evergreen International Aviation Founder and Owner Delford Smith, at Gulf Air’s headquarters in Bahrain.
“One of our key strengths is our regional network and our ability to serve key destinations in Europe and Asia,” said Mr Hogan.
“Gulf Air was the first airline in the Middle East to offer an express airfreight service and because we constantly offer the fastest and most reliable express service, we are the acknowledged leaders in that field in the Middle East.
“And such joint ventures with Evergreen, a leader in its field, strive to better our services, which better serve our clients.”
Gulf Air is ideally placed in the Middle East to ship consignments anywhere.
“We at Evergreen are excited to work with this great team at Gulf Air,” said Mr Smith.
“Evergreen is a global leader in cargo operations with Boeing 747. With the different aviation businesses in the Evergreen group of companies, Gulf Air and Evergreen are an ideal fit for future strategies.”
Photo Caption: Mr Hogan, left and Mr. Smith at the signing
About Gulf Air
Gulf Air was founded in 1950. Today, it is owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is the only truly pan Gulf carrier in the region. The airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 44 cities in 30 countries. The fleet is one of the most modern in the Middle East and comprises 34 aircraft.
The airline, in the last year of a three-year strategic recovery programme, headed by President and Chief Executive James Hogan, is making rapid strides towards regaining profitability in 2005 and aims to further evolve by taking its renowned cultural strengths, which have been gained over more than half a century, into a global environment.
The dramatic turnaround in Gulf Air’s fortunes has won international recognition. In January 2004, The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) presented the airline with the prestigious Airline Turnaround of the Year Award for 2003. Gulf Air was also the recipient of the 2003 Platinum Award for the Best Airline in the Middle East and North Africa, recognising the airline’s commitment to service excellence.
