Gulf Air’s role in promoting ‘Business Friendly Bahrain’ was stressed as the airline’s board met to review its growth and expansion strategy.

Key issues of running a commercially sound, high performance and business driven operation amidst rising fuel prices and increased competition dominated talks at the first board meeting since the recent appointment of new members.

The several-hour-long meeting included three new faces: Chairman Talal Alzain, who is also Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company chief executive officer, Dr Mustafa Al Sayed and Lloyd Cromwell Griffiths - in addition to four existing members, Jawad Habib Jawad, Adel Salman Kanoo, Khalid Omar Al Rumaihi and Mohammed Farooq Almoayyed.

The board also touched on new sponsorship programmes to further strengthen the airline’s brand.

Chief executive officer Björn Näf and other top management officials attended the meeting.

The decision to adopt expansion and growth plans, including the launch of new services to China and India and the airline’s massive contribution and vision in making Bahrain a central and fastest point in connecting the region to the world through an efficient and seamless hub in the kingdom were hailed.

The board also emphasised the importance of keeping the name of Gulf Air as one of the pioneering international airlines in the region with its wealth of genuine traditional Arabic hospitality and heritage. - Trade Arabia News Service