GULF Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, recently began services to the Italian city of Milan and Geneva, its first destination in Switzerland.
Airline CEO Samer Majali said: “By launching services to Milan we are not only opening new doors on the trade and tourism opportunities this city offers to the people and businesses of Bahrain and the region, but also bringing new commercial and other opportunities to Bahrain, the gateway of the Arabian Gulf and beyond.”
The four weekly flights operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and the new service to Geneva flies three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Commenting on the airline’s Swiss debut, Majali said: “I am delighted to see Gulf Air flying again to Switzerland, it further demonstrates our commitment to connect Bahrain to the region and the rest of the world including some of the world’s leading financial markets, to support Bahrain’s financial services and trade sector.
“I would like to personally thank the Swiss authorities for granting us the rights to fly to Geneva and the airport authorities for facilitating this. I am sure our new direct route linking Geneva with Bahrain and onwards through our extensive Middle East network will open up excellent opportunities for business and leisure travellers throughout the region and in Switzerland.
“2011 has been a busy year for Gulf Air, with five new routes opening up since January – Milan, Basra, Isfahan, Addis Ababa and Kabul.”