With just few days to go, the F1 fever has reached sky high – literally. Gulf Air, the official carrier and title sponsor of Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2006, has brought in a giant Gulf Air balloon, to add more colour and excitement to the grand event of the year.
The Gulf Air hot Air balloon in glowing gold and white, the house colours of Gulf air and sporting the Golden Falcon logo, will be tethered at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) ground from 10 to 12 March 2006.
There will be opportunities for Grand Prix ticket holders and accredited media and photojournalists to get on to the balloon on tethered flights and get a fantastic bird's view of BIC and Bahrain from the air. This is, of course, subject to favourable whether conditions prevailing at that time.
"Gulf Air, as the title sponsor of Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2006, would like to make use of every opportunity that adds up more excitement and fun to the event," says Gulf Air Vice President Marketing and Sales Danny Barranger.
"Recently the Gulf Air balloon was flown at Kuala Lumpur to mark the launch of our direct flights between Muscat and Kuala Lumpur and it was received with all excitement and exultation. I am sure it will be equally appealing to the F1 fans in Bahrain."
Veteran balloonist Donald Conner, who has flown Gulf Air balloon at various international balloon festivals and other trade promotions, accompanied by David Baker and Philip Langdon, pilots of the British Telecom Balloon and avid F1 fans, will be operating the Gulf Air balloon during its presence in Bahrain from 10 to 12 March.
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)
