GULF Air has expanded its operations into Saudi Arabia with services to three more destinations – Gassim, Yanbu and Taif – taking the total number of cities in the kingdom it serves to seven. Services to Taif will begin from January 15, 2012 with four flights per week while flights to Gassim will start on January 17 with three flights per week. Yanbu services will begin from February 15, 2012 with three flights a week.
Gulf Air chief executive officer Samer Majali said: “Bahrain’s relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is historical dating back to centuries. It is one of the first three countries that we began our services to, landing in Dhahran in 1950. Currently we operate to four destinations- Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh and Madinah. The launch of services to these new destinations further demonstrates this commitment by connecting people from far corners of the kingdom to travel across the world through Gulf Air.”
Gulf Air chief commercial officer Karim Makhlouf added: “Saudi Arabia has always been, and will be, an important market for us as the announcement of these three new destinations reiterate. We are proud of the fact that we are the largest international carrier into Saudi Arabia in terms of connecting more destinations thus expanding the commercial, tourism and religious travel opportunities between the two countries and beyond. With nearly 700 flights per week within the region, our Saudi customers will be able to find a flight to their destination in the shortest possible connecting time via our efficient hub Bahrain.”
Gulf Air has announced special inaugural promotional fares to these three cities starting at BD70 ($185) plus taxes that can be booked on gulfair.com, Gulf Air sales offices in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and through its Worldwide Contact Centre on 17335777.
The airline has also announced a triple bonus miles to its Falconflyer members travelling to these cities applicable from the date of travel for three months.