LOW-COST carrier Bahrain Air has big plans for the future to move up the scale with the addition of premium services such as full business-class seats, in-fight entertainment and online check-in.
The Bahrain-based airline, which was launched at the beginning of 2008, was on target to carry one million passengers in 2010, a 25 per cent increase on 2009, and, in terms of its migration from a low-cost carrier, it has already begun offering complimentary meals and snacks for economy-class passengers as well as those in business class.
A spokesman confirmed that 2011 will see the introduction of the airline’s own frequent flier programme in the first half of the year as well as the establishment of a full customer care team and increased social media interaction with customers.
Other planned improvements include the upgrade of business-class seats, introduction of a customised in-flight entertainment system and introduction of a new service to Dammam, in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking of the tough economic climate in 2010, chief operating officer Capt Ahmed Yaqubi said: “It was very challenging but gave us the opportunity to fine tune our business concept to serve our customers and the market better against the odds of the severe competition.”
The company currently operates six modern aircraft from the Airbus A320 family and, in its efforts to maintain one of the youngest fleets in the region, will be replacing two of its older aircraft with a brand new A320 in February 2011.
Bahrain Air’s current network includes 18 destinations across the Middle East and Indian subcontinent and a spokesman said: “We continue to assess the commercial viability of many cities across the region as potential destinations for our future expansion plans. Unfortunately, due to adverse market conditions and excess capacity in the market, airlines in our region and across the globe have had to revise their network strategies and must thoroughly study a potential route prior to operating to it.”