The launch of Bahrain Air, the kingdom’s first privately owned low cost airline, has been delayed until the first week of February according to airline sources.
Management officials could not be reached for comment, but sources said the delay was connected to staff training.
The carrier, which also offers business class, will use a Airbus A320 fleet - with 12 seats in business and 150 in economy. The pilots and cabin crew recruited by the airline are undergoing training at the Royal Jordanian Air Academy.
Chairman Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and managing director Ibrahim Al Hamer announced the launch of the airline at a press conference in late November.
They revealed that the airline’s fleet would have four aircraft by April and five by the end of the year.
Bahrain Air will initially fly on Bahrain, Dubai, Mashad, Beirut and Alexandria routes. The destinations will be increased to 14 by April next year, 23 - including the Indian subcontinent - by 2009 and 25 by 2010, Al Hamer had said at the time. The airline has already signed agreements with several travel agents in the country.