Gulf Air has launched a number of initiatives recently to enhance passenger service and safety including a new Care In The Air Code.
The code was launched at the end of intensive training of the airline's cabin crew and is aimed at creating a "customer-first culture within Gulf Air and to establish and identifiable service level in performance and attitude", said an airline spokesman. The programme was established six months ago to develop and enhance their attitude to passenger service. A total of 1,800 cabin crew members attended various training sessions and special conventions, featuring role plays and open debates with top airline executives. The new code was officially launched at the 34th and final session in Bahrain attended by airline executives, officials and staff. It featured 62 cabin crew dressed in their national dress to represent the 62 nationalities in the airline. "The Care In The Air programme is a long-term commitment to delivering passenger satisfaction on all Gulf Air flights, and is part our 'Winning Together' vision for the airline," said Adel Ali, vice president, commercial and customer services. The airline has also adopted a new quality audit scheme to ensure company and regulatory standards are followed and maintained. Sixy staff members will be trained as internal quality assurance personnel for flight and ground operations, as well as cabin services, the airline said. The new regulatory audit system is being developed with assistance from Lufthansa Consulting, a leading international aviation consultancy. Meanwhile, Gulf Air has launched a special passenger training programme to familiarise blind and partially sighted people with services and safety procedures, both in-flight and prior to boarding. Organised with the Saudi-Bahraini Institute for the Blind, the first of the series of the day-long courses were held last month and 50 people took part from states across the Gulf. In addition to attending Gulf Air's Safety and Survival School, which trains all flight and cabin crew, the candidates visit an in-service aircraft to learn about seating and exit arrangements, plus gain greater awareness of onboard facilities and services. The course will be supported by a handbook written in Braille by Gulf Air's Safety and Survival School and the Saudi -Bahraini Institute for the Blind. * The airline has introduced psychological assessments as part of its selection process for first officers, pilots and cadets, making it the region's first airline to introduce non-technical pilot evaluation as an essential part of selection procedures.