KUWAIT: The aviation industry has been badly affected by the political turmoil in the Arab region, admitted an airline executive. Speaking at the press conference held at the JW Marriott Kuwait City yesterday to announce the launch of an additional daily flight between Bahrain and Kuwait and a 50 percent discount offer to all Falcon Gold travelers on selected destinations, Samer Majali, Gulf Air Executive Officer admitted his carrier alone experienced a 30 percent decline in passenger numbers between February and March, the beginning of Bahrain's uprising.

We cannot deny the fact that we have been affected," Majali said. "Aviation industry in the Arab World has been negatively affected because there were very few movement of foreigners to the region. In our case, we admit that our revenues have dropped to 30 percent," he told reporters.

It runs in parallel with the other airline industries in the region. Thankfully, from June when the protesters began engaging in a dialogue with the government, we were able to recover losses. Passengers are back to normal again," he added.

The drop in revenues according to Majali can also be attributed to the increase in fuel prices during recent months which increased to 30 percent. At a presentation held yesterday, the Gulf Air's CEO announced additional daily flights between Bahrain and Kuwait to five times a day, "The fifth daily flight between Bahrain and Kuwait will be launched on 30 October and will arrive at Kuwait International Airport at 13:35 and depart at 14:20," he said. Majali also announced a 50 percent discount for Falcon Gold travelers and the launch of family fare package called 'Family First.'

Building upon a relationship that dates back to Gulf Air's formation in 1950, the Kuwait remains a strategic route and market for the airline. Today, as the second-most profitable route in our network, Gulf Air recognizes and celebrates our long-term commitment to Kuwait with tailored offerings for our passengers.

Majali noted that starting 30 October, Gulf Air will have a total of 35 flights around the world with 10 flights in Europe, 10 flights in the GCC, eight flights in MENA and 15 flights in Asia. According to Majali, Gulf Air is well-positioned to connect Kuwait to several key destinations in the region with multiple daily flights and excellent connectivity via Bahrain to key destinations like Addis Ababa in Africa, Kabul in Afghanistan and the soon to be launched, Juba in South Sudan.

In fact, Gulf Air has already begun 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 30 Nov, Entebbe in Uganda from 5 Dec and Juba, the current capital of South Sudan from 7 Feb 2012. "Our aim is to become a carrier of choice," he added.

Meanwhile, Gulf Air is also launching Falcon Corporate Plus, a package designed exclusively for corporate travelers offering a range of benefits such as price discounts and free upgrades from economy to Falcon Gold class. The 'Family First' program is a series of competitively priced packages for customers travelling with spouses and children, offering special privileges both on the ground and in the air, "The spouses can enjoy a 25 percent discount and for children 50 percent discounts. Kids will also be attended to properly by in-flight nannies and we have in-flight chef to attend to meals," he added.

Gulf Air also boasts of being the first airlines to enjoy on-board connectivity. Passengers can stay connected in the sky for approximately KD 7.400 for 24 hours, "Gulf Air passengers can stay in-touch with their loved ones through internet email connections and can watch live TV programs via satellite. Our passengers can also conduct conference calls via Skype and download their favorite music," he added.

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