Gulf Air (GF) has expanded its existing codeshare agreement with American Airlines (AA), whereby AA will codeshare on two more GF destinations, i.e., Kuwait and Doha via Bahrain.
The sale of tickets on this codeshared sectors began from 30 January for travel from 8 February onwards.
"This agreement is significant for both the airlines as we were able to build on the successful re-implementation of the AA codeshare agreement at the end of 2004," says Gulf Air Vice President Network Fareed Al Alawi. "We have seen commendable rise in our revenue from AA after the alliance."
"We see this as important development with regard to passenger traffic to and fro these destinations. AA will now be able to leverage its selling ability for US military traffic to the Middle East by utilising GF services as its codeshared partner," adds Fareed Al Alawi.
Gulf Air and American Airlines signed the codeshare agreement in 1994, which was expanded in 1998 and now covers flights from Bahrain/Muscat/Abu Dhabi to London–Boston/Miami/Los Angeles/New York/Chicago, Paris–Dallas/Miami/Chicago/New York and, Frankfurt -Dallas/Chicago.
Gulf Air already has codeshare agreements with Thai Airways, BMI, Cyprus Airways, Egyptair, Garuda Indonesia, Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, KLM, Olympic Airlines, Oman Air, Qantas Airways, Royal Jordanian Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Middle East Airlines.
About Gulf Air
Founded in 1950, Gulf Air is presently 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.
More than half a century later, the regional, geographic and cultural values that the airline has embraced over more than half a century are still central in defining the brand and service ethos within the contemporary and global environment.
Today the airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 44 cities in 30 countries. The fleet comprises 34 aircraft.
Under President and Chief Executive James Hogan, the successful implementation of the first phase of a restructuring programme, which commenced in 2003, has resulted in the establishment of a platform for sustained commercial operation.
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 ‘boutique airline’ vision.
The dramatic turnaround in fortunes has won international recognition. 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, which recognised the airline’s commitment to service excellence. Other awards include:
Winner – Middle East Leading First Class Airline, World Travel Awards 2005
Winner – World’s Leading Airport Lounge, World Travel Awards 2005
Winner - Middle East & North African Platinum Best Airline Travel Award 2004
Winner - Skytrax Most Improved Airline Award 2004
Winner - Skytrax Best First Class Onboard Food Category 2004
Winner - Skytrax Best Business Class Check-in Category 2004
Official Airline and Sponsor of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2006
