GULF AIR, Bahrain’s national carrier, has announced that it will increase its flights between Bahrain and Pakistan by 30 per cent from 14 to 21 flights per week to accommodate increasing passenger demand. The approval to operate a greater number of flights follows the successful conclusion of negotiations between the Kingdom’s Ministry of Transportation and Civil Aviation Authority and Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority.
Gulf Air’s new schedule to Pakistan, effective from the December 16, 2013, will see weekly flights increased to all four destinations that the airline currently operates to in the country as follows; Karachi from seven to 10, Islamabad from two to three, Lahore from three to four and Peshawar from two to four.
The additional frequencies, part of the airline’s winter schedule, will provide passengers with better two-way connectivity to and from Pakistan through Gulf Air’s efficient Bahrain hub with onward connections to over 11 destinations across the airline’s network in the GCC, Middle East and Europe including, Frankfurt, London, Paris, Amman, Dubai and three destinations in Saudi Arabia: Dammam, Medina and Jeddah.
Gulf Air’s acting chief commercial officer, Ahmed Janahi says: “Pakistan is a key longstanding market for Gulf Air and has been one of our most successful destinations in recent times. Increasing frequencies to Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar in Pakistan demonstrate the forward-looking emphasis of Gulf Air as it continues to implement its restructuring strategy.”
Acting chief executive officer, Maher Salman Al Musallam, adds: ”A core element of Gulf Air’s strategy is to strengthen our network and maximise convenience for our passengers, as such we are delighted to be the first full service carrier operating to Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central. Gulf Air has been operating to Dubai since 1960 and today operates seven flights daily from Bahrain International Airport to Dubai International.
“The commencement of Gulf Air’s operations to Dubai World Central (DWC) in December will further boost our capacity to the Emirate by 10 per cent and provide passengers with additional travel options and seamless connections to over 30 destinations across the airline’s extensive regional network and to destinations in Europe, Asia and Africa through our efficient Bahrain hub. Furthermore, for passengers located in the residential and business areas close to the airport such as Arabian Ranches, Dubai Marina, Dubai Media City and Palm Jumeirah the DWC provides an attractive, alternative travel proposition with scope to significantly reduce journey time.”