Gulf Air Cargo’s Dubai operation has achieved outstanding results for the year 2005 in terms of cargo uplift and revenue.
According to a statement released by the Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai, Gulf Air reached eighth position – a significant milestone in its cargo operation - in a fierce competition among 98 scheduled passenger airlines and 31 dedicated freighter airlines operating in and out of Dubai.
"It is a great performance considering the huge number of freighters and passenger airlines operating in the vast UAE market," says Gulf Air Vice President Business Units Ali Murtada.
"It is a known fact that passenger airlines like Gulf Air can accommodate cargo only after allowing space for passengers' baggage. With this constraint, it is by no means an ordinary achievement. The credit goes to the entire Gulf Air cargo team in Dubai."
Gulf Air operated a total of 5,414 passenger flights to Dubai in 2005 with a combination of A320/330/340 and B767 aircraft. The total uplift of cargo on Gulf Air flights was 6,954,000 kgs and total discharge cargo into Dubai was 3,506,000 kgs for the year 2005.
"Gulf Air was able to become one of the top ten airlines in a market, where a total number of 152,564 scheduled passenger flights and 28,383 scheduled freighters with different aircraft capacity, operated during 2005," says Gulf Air Cargo Manager UAE Abdulla Al-Shawoosh.
"With the added advantage of our two hubs at Bahrain and Muscat, and the road feeder service, "Cargo–on-wheels" to and from the UAE and Saudi Arabia and quick turnaround time for cargo transfers, we are confident we can maintain our position in the 'top 10' league.”
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)
