Gulf Air Vice President Business Units, Ali Murtada will be a key note speaker at the conference being held alongside the prestigious 'World Air Cargo Event 2006' to be held in Dubai from 23 to 25 January 2006.
A Gulf Air veteran, Ali Murtada has served in several key departments of the company in a career spanning little over three decades. Twice as head of the Gulf Air Cargo division, he has been instrumental in the overall restructuring of the unit and has contributed significantly to its continuous revenue growth over the years.
"The air cargo industry has registered a positive growth during 2005 with a 2.8% increase in global freight transportation. The Middle East carriers alone recorded a healthy 14% growth during the first 11 months of 2005," says Mr Murtada quoting IATA.
"With the increasing use of the Middle East as an important hub for cargo traffic between Europe and the Far East, the Middle East air cargo industry represents a vibrant, growing market."
The three-day conference and exhibition, being held at the Jumeirah Beach Conference Centre in Dubai, has attracted more than 60 participants from the international air cargo industry. Gulf Air is one of the prominent participants.
"Gulf Air would be making a strong showing alongside other notable Cargo carriers at the exhibition. As a pioneer in the airline industry, Gulf Air has always been an active participant in such events because these are important opportunities for us to interact with our clients and meet new customers," adds Mr Murtada, whose talk will focus on "The Middle East - a growing hub for air cargo" at the afternoon conference session on 23 January.
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
