Bahrain’s national carrier Gulf Air today reaffirmed its longstanding relationship with Kuwait, unveiling a series of commercial initiatives tailored to the Kuwaiti market.

The airline announced the launch of an additional daily flight between Bahrain and Kuwait and a 50 per cent discount for Falcon Gold travellers on flights to select Europe, Middle East and GCC destinations, in addition to a tailored family fare package.

Addressing the media at a press conference held in Kuwait today, Gulf Air chief executive officer  Samer Majali said: “Building upon a relationship that dates back to Gulf Air’s formation in 1950, the State of Kuwait remains a strategic route and market for the airline. Today, as the second most profitable route in our network, Gulf Air recognises and celebrates our long-term commitment to Kuwait with tailored offerings for our passengers.”

With the second highest number of corporate passengers travelling from Kuwait, Gulf Air will  soon launch Falcon Corporate Plus, a package designed exclusively for corporate travellers offering a range of benefits such as price discounts and free upgrades from economy to Falcon Gold class, he said.

The airline is also designing an innovative programme specifically for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kuwait that offers a range of incentives including a double bonanza by which both - the member organizations and their travelling employees - earn miles that can be redeemed for free flights, upgrades, etc.

Gulf Air’s popular Frequent Flyer programme has been recently renamed ‘Falcon Flyer’ and now offers members even more attractive privileges and value added benefits such as bonus miles up to 250 per cent, guaranteed seats, priority baggage handling, half miles redemption and family membership.

For families, Gulf Air will be introducing ‘Family First’ - a series of competitively priced packages for customers travelling with spouses and children, offering special privileges both on the ground and in the air. This will be an attractive package particularly for Kuwaitis, who often travel with their families on vacation, a statement said. 

Of Gulf Air’s latest commercial initiatives, the ‘Sky Hub’ offers the world’s first full connectivity on-board long-haul flights with high speed internet, 3G-4G mobile data speed connectivity, voice over the internet (VOIP) i.e. Skype, streaming videos and the world's first in-flight live TV via satellite. Passengers can stay connected in the sky for approximately KD7.400 for 24 hours.

“Our latest commercial initiatives are simply the beginning of many future endeavours towards developing the existing relationship between Gulf Air and Kuwait, and further strengthening our ties,” concluded Majali.

The airline also hosted an event for local agents and corporate clients. Talking at the event about the role of travel agents, Gulf Air’s chief commercial officer Karim Makhlouf said: “This event gives us an opportunity to demonstrate our appreciation for the important role Kuwaiti Travel Agents play in generating business for the airline; we hope to continue developing and strengthening these important relationships in the future.”

As the Middle East’s largest network carrier, Gulf Air is well positioned to connect Kuwait to several key destinations in the region with multiple daily flights, 35 weekly flights (as of 30th October) and excellent connectivity via Bahrain to key destinations such as Addis Ababa in Africa, Kabul in Afghanistan and the soon to be launched, Juba in South Sudan.

As part of its network strategy to expand into niche markets, Gulf Air started services to eight new destinations since January 2011 in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and has recently announced the launch of services to three more destinations - Rome, the Italian capital, from November 30, Entebbe in Uganda from December 5 and Juba, the current capital of South Sudan from February 7, 2012.
The fifth daily flight between Bahrain and Kuwait will be launched on October 30 and will arrive into Kuwait International Airport at 13:35 and depart at 14:20.

The promotional 50 per cent discount for Falcon Gold travellers on select destinations in Europe, Middle East and the GCC ends on October 15 and is valid for all travel up to December 20. The family fare package will be applicable for the entire month of October and offers discounts to spouses and children.  – TradeArabia News Service