Gulf Air has flown in another 10 tonnes of relief material as part of its humanitarian relief efforts to the Lebanese people. The cargo left aboard Gulf Air’s scheduled services to Damascus, Syria today for onward dispatch to Lebanon.
Lebanese Ambassador to Bahrain Mohammed al-Hijar, General Secretary of the Bahrain Red Crescent Society Sadiq Al Shehabi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Social Development Hannan Kamal and other government officials were present at the Bahrain International Airport to witness the dispatch.
This is the third plane load of aid being transported by Gulf Air to help the war-ravaged Lebanese. Gulf Air has committed to send 40 tonnes of relief cargo to Lebanon free of charge and has airlifted 26 tonnes so far.
"As a national airline of Bahrain and Oman, we consider it as our duty to help our Arab brothers in Lebanon at this time of distress and anguish," says Gulf Air Vice President Business Units Ali Murtada.
"The rest of the relief material is being organised in co-operation with Bahrain Red Crescent Society, which will be sent to Lebanon in the coming days."
The aid, which includes medical supplies, food, hygiene kits, mattresses, kitchen utensils and other essential supplies, will reach Lebanon for distribution in co-ordination with the United Nations and the International Red Cross Society.
Gulf Air extended the suspension of its Beirut flights till the end of August and has upgraded its services out of Larnaca in light of the recent developments in Lebanon and customer demand.
Photo captions
1.Lebanese Ambassador to Bahrain Mohammed al-Hijar, General Secretary of the Bahrain Red Crescent Society Sadiq Al Shehabi and Undersecretary at the Ministry of Social Development Hannan Kamal standing in front of a cargo pallet carrying relief materials to Lebanon, flanked by Gulf Air and Bahrain Airport Services officials
2. A row of cargo pallets with relief material bound for Lebanaon ready to be loaded on to Gulf Air aircraft.
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 2007
