Gulf Air has won the prestigious Mercury Award for 2005.
Gulf Air took the “Gold” in the on board service category and was also named the “overall winner” by the International Travel Catering Association (ITCA) for its innovation, quality in application and customer satisfaction within the wide sphere of onboard service.
In a gala ceremony held in Valencia, Spain, attended by Gulf Air Head of Inflight Services Michael Kent, the airline won the awards for its famed Sky Nanny service.
"It is a great honour for Gulf Air to win the awards. The Mercury Award is a prestigious award amongst the aviation and hospitality industry globally,” said Mr Kent.
This award comes close on the heels of Gulf Air winning the Skytrax award for 'Onboard Catering Excellence' and the Athens International Airport award for ‘Best new entrant airline,’ also this year.
"Gulf Air has developed a fine dining concept at 35,000 feet over the past few years with its excellence in in-flight services, be it the award winning service by our Sky Chef or the much-acclaimed Sky Nanny service on board,” adds Mr Kent.
“This award only reiterates our consistent performance excellence in what we offer to Gulf Air passengers.”
Established 22 years ago, the ITCA is a global association with over 700 member companies that acts as a forum for improving communications between various sectors in the industry, thereby improving their efficiency and effectiveness.
Virtually all large airlines are members, as are many regional carriers, and the vast majority of inflight catering companies of all sizes.
Awards, in Gold, Silver and Bronze, are given in four categories; on board service, food or beverage, equipment and skills development, with the overall Mercury Award winner selected from among the gold winners.
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)
Official Airline and Sponsor of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2006
