GFA330 From Turkey, joined Oct 2006, 105 posts, RR: 0 Posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 4550 times:
Announced this morning via press release
- SYD/SIN/JNB/DUB/JKT/HKG will be closed
- 767's all to go
- 5 A340 will be replaced by newer A330-200
- 3 A321 are coming in the fleet as well
- Other stations will get acft ug's or frequency increases ( no further info )
- Some stations will receive freq decreases ( no further info )
- Lounges will be updated
- Job losses to be announced shortly
Anybody want to take a guess how the new GF route/freq map will look like ?
That is sad seeing all these destinations go.GF was amongst the first Middle Eastern carriers to go to HFG back in the 1980's or even earlier in the 1970's. DUB, JNB were new destinations less than a year old--and its a shocker seeing them leave the route map.
I am honestly most surprised to see DUB go--because i was under the impression that they had the market all to themselves until EY came in the scene, and from what i heard or read they mis connected the slots--was it convenient say for a passenger to get from DUB to SIN/KUL with under 3 hours transit both sides
Does this also include the GF traveller ones, also will cities like BOM/DEL/KHI which utilised 767s be upgraded to 330s or downgraded permanently to 320s.
I am guessing the SQ/Leased 343 will be the first to go----- Which are the cities that would be served by the 343 now--KUL,????
Iam guessing Euope will become A330 exclusive.
Icarus75 From France, joined Oct 2003, 768 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 4329 times:
May be I'm a little off topic but I've flown several times BAH-DXB-BAH, everytime on A330 or A340 and most of the time, the load was 50% max.
Why don't they have narrowbodies (A320 for example) for these routes?
SandroZRH From Switzerland, joined Feb 2007, 3382 posts, RR: 51 Reply 7, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 4313 times:
Quoting GFA330 (Thread starter): - 767's all to go
- 5 A340 will be replaced by newer A330-200
I can see the SRTechnics staff jumping for joy about that, those A340s and particularely the 767s gave them some major headaches over the last couple of weeks.
GFA330 From Turkey, joined Oct 2006, 105 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 4282 times:
Quoting OA260 (Reply 1): Any dates of when the last flights will be ??? Especially DUB. Do you have a link to the press release??
Jul 1 most likely, but not confirmed yet
Quoting Scouseflyer (Reply 2): So are these already announced orders or new ones?
Not sure how they are coming into the fleet but my guess is dry-lease
Quoting Karan69 (Reply 5): Does this also include the GF traveller ones, also will cities like BOM/DEL/KHI which utilised 767s be upgraded to 330s or downgraded permanently to 320s.
The GF traveller concept is going, not sure yet how the new schedule will look like but I am guessing as well that ISC will see some nice capacity increases.
Quoting SandroZRH (Reply 7): I can see the SRTechnics staff jumping for joy about that, those A340s and particularely the 767s gave them some major headaches over the last couple of weeks
They for sure will sleep better now.
Oh yes one last guess from my end ..... ZRH BAH in 2008, with an LX/GF code watch and see
UAEflyer From United Arab Emirates, joined Nov 2006, 903 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 4226 times:
I dont know what the management wants from GF , although i think closing destinations immediately is not a wise move, but how would that reflect positively on GF? it is not a matter of expenses but a bad management who is causing all these losses to the owners. Look at other local carriers who are serving same destinations and how they are doing.
They should market their selves more and more, many people doesn't know what is Gulf Air and which countries they are serving.
My personal advice to Gulf Air is to emerge with Kuwait Airways + Oman Air and form one structure in order to survive and compete with others.
In todays world there is no room for small players, especially in the Middle East market, where the competition is extreme.
CV580Freak From Bahrain, joined Jul 2005, 1033 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 4172 times:
Quoting Icarus75 (Reply 6): May be I'm a little off topic but I've flown several times BAH-DXB-BAH, everytime on A330 or A340 and most of the time, the load was 50% max.
Why don't they have narrowbodies (A320 for example) for these routes?
May be onward flights to DXB via BAH or the fact that they recently grounded their 9 B767's which was close to 25% of their total fleet, must have been some good juggling acts there ......
One day you are the pigeon, the next the statue ...
LXA340 From Switzerland, joined Nov 2006, 2104 posts, RR: 4 Reply 18, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 4133 times:
I am sure Àndre Dose will bring GF on to the right track again. He is very capable and he learned from mistakes done with LX and I am sure he followed the plans for the restructuring of the airline very carefully and look where we are now, on the way to cruising altitude .
GFA330 From Turkey, joined Oct 2006, 105 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 4013 times:
Quoting Behramjee (Reply 19): can u provide a link please to this press release if possible...thanks
Sorry not available yet as their PR depart did not post it on their website, just received by email ;
Gulf Air Starts BD 310 Million “Get Well” Programme
Major restructuring to secure future of the airline and to improve punctuality, fleet, network and customer service
Manama, Bahrain,17 April 2007: Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, revealed a major programme today to turn the company around and to get it well again. The plan consists of two pillars to completely reshape the network to better serve the needs of the Bahrain and Oman economies and, to improve customer service through higher punctuality, better reliability and lower connection times. This will require investments in aircraft and ground facilities. The total cost of the programme is BD310 million (US$ 825m), say company officials.
Gulf Air Board of Directors Deputy Chairman Mahmood Al Kooheji announced today that the airline’s operation was currently losing more than 1 million US Dollar a day and including other costs such as financing ‘the figure would even be substantially higher.’ Accumulated losses and costs, including 2007, would amount to BD254m (US$ 675m).
“Gulf Air plays an important role in the economic development of Bahrain and Oman. But to do this effectively the airline has to be financially sound, efficient and fully focused on the needs of its customers,” said Mr. Al Kooheji at a press conference today, at the company’s headquarters in Muharraq.
“At this critical juncture, we have looked at ways in which the fleet and resources can be used in the most effective way to ensure customers are served effectively, while maintaining operations on a commercial basis.
“Together with the airline’s new President and Chief Executive André Dosé, who joined Gulf Air at the beginning of April, the Board of Directors has, therefore, developed a far-reaching, two-step programme to 'get Gulf Air well again'.”
Better Network Structure allows downsizing of fleet and cost savings
Under the first part of the programme that will cost BD120 million (US$ 319m), Gulf Air will undergo a major restructuring of its operations. The focus is on closing the airline's current profitability gap of BD156m (US$ 414m), creating a network that serves better the needs of the Bahrain and Oman business community and, increasing Gulf Air’s customer service level.
“The main goal of our restructuring and customer service programme is to increase flight frequencies to existing key destinations and to add new connections to major economic centres that are of growing importance for the economy of Bahrain and Oman,” said Mr Dosé.
“At the same time, Gulf Air’s new management will put great emphasis to improve punctuality, reliability and lower connection time for our passengers between their flights.
“We have made safety, punctuality and customer service the key issues of our restructuring programme because we are not satisfied with our current service level. Also, we have to improve the way we communicate with customers when delays do occur.”
To achieve its financial and operational goals, Gulf Air will downsize its fleet from 34 to 28 aircraft. In line with its goal to radically simplify the business, the company will move to an all-Airbus fleet. In parallel, the network will be fundamentally restructured.
"We will stop operating to our heavily loss-making long-haul services to Dublin, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Sydney and Singapore. Instead, we will allocate more assets to better serve all important centres in the Gulf and the Middle Eastern region,” added Mr Dose.
“It is our goal to offer each centre in the region at least two flights per day, and often more. The introduction of a ‘wave structure’ of inbound and outbound flights will also allow us shorter connection time and insure better connectivity with our Asian and European long-haul flights."
The second pillar of Gulf Air’s “get well” programme consists of investments of BD190m (US$ 505m) to improve the quality of its product on the ground and in the air.
The airline intends to refurbish the cabins of its existing Airbus aircraft. In addition, ground facilities, such as lounges, will be upgraded.
The fleet simplification will involve the introduction of four Airbus A-321 aircraft, the retirement of the entire Boeing B-767 fleet and the phasing out of the Gulf Traveller brand. Gulf Air will also replace part of its Airbus A-340 fleet by five newer Airbus A-330 aircraft.
24 Months to Complete Restructuring Programme
It would take until the beginning of 2009 to complete the fleet replacement and restructuring programme, said Mr Dose.
Parallel to the downsizing of its fleet by roughly 25 per cent, Gulf Air’s workforce will have to be reduced, also. Currently, the airline has nearly 6,000 employees. The exact number of jobs that will be cut as a result of the downsizing and restructuring of the company still has to be defined. A portion of the downsizing of the workforce will occur through natural attrition.
“Even though we do not have the exact number of how many jobs will have to be cut, we already know it will be a painful measure,” said Mr Al Kooheji
“Therefore, we will do everything to ease the impact on the Bahraini employees that will be affected.”
“We are fully aware that these are harsh measures and we have tough times ahead of us. But we need these measures to secure the survival of the company, to stabilise and improve our operations and to create a basis for further sustainable growth," concluded Mr. Dosé.
Task Force and Daily Management Meetings to Monitor Progress
To implement the changes as quickly as possible Gulf Air has simplified its organisation. It now consists of four divisions Finance & Administration, Sales & Marketing, Operations and Network. Also a project team of internal and external experts was installed to lead the restructuring process. The team reports on a constant basis to the Executive Management of Mr Dosé and the Board of Directors.
The company’s Executive Management meets each morning with the Vice Presidents to monitor progress in the areas of punctuality and daily operations.
“We have to build a culture of openness, customer focus, entrepreneurship and teamwork. We can do it,” said Mr Dosé.
Mr Al Kooheji said the Board of Directors was fully aware that the changes initiated now would take time and would be hard for many inside the Gulf Air organisation.
“These changes are unavoidable. We need to create an airline that serves the best interests of its owners, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman. This is why we have decided to fund it with a major capital injection and give it our full support,” he concluded.
QatarA340 From Qatar, joined May 2006, 1602 posts, RR: 7 Reply 22, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 3906 times:
Quoting UAEflyer (Reply 13): My personal advice to Gulf Air is to emerge with Kuwait Airways + Oman Air and form one structure in order to survive and compete with others.
In todays world there is no room for small players, especially in the Middle East market, where the competition is extreme.
You know what, there were always rumours that QR will take over GF back then and merge with QR. Personally, I think QR can take advantage of that but that would risk creating another Gulf Air with multiple hubs.
BTW: those destinations that GF will axe were amongst the oldest in the GF network, the following dates represent the first time GF flew these routes.
HKG: started 1976
SYD: started 1990 (first Arab airline to start direct flights there)
SIN: started 1990
JNB: started 1992 (first Arab airline to start direct flights there)
JKT: started 1993
DUB: started 2005 (less than a year and a half ago)
Behramjee From Canada, joined Aug 2003, 4447 posts, RR: 43 Reply 23, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 3856 times:
Quoting UAEflyer (Reply 13): My personal advice to Gulf Air is to emerge with Kuwait Airways Oman Air and form one structure in order to survive and compete with others.
Very very bad idea
Quoting GFA330 (Reply 20): The fleet simplification will involve the introduction of four Airbus A-321 aircraft, the retirement of the entire Boeing B-767 fleet and the phasing out of the Gulf Traveller brand. Gulf Air will also replace part of its Airbus A-340 fleet by five newer Airbus A-330 aircraft.
Good move with the A 321s and brilliant move by standardizing the long haul fleet with the A 332. This more or less confirms the fact that for a few years now, GF isnt interested in flying to USA from BAH !
The dates for the suspensions have been released on GF's res system too :
F9Animal From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 4739 posts, RR: 30 Reply 24, posted (6 years 1 month 1 week 2 days 1 hour ago) and read 3837 times:
Wow!!! Is Gulf really having problems? I always thought GF was one of the healthier airlines out there, and always admired everything about them. It is so sad that they are cutting those flights. I wish the best to the employees that are affected by this, and I hope GF comes back stronger.
I Am A Different Animal!!
25 Behramjee: The last time GF made a profit was in 2005 and thats because they sold off many real estate assets of theirs...other than that its always made a loss
26 GFA330: This was on the cards but is complicated because of the bilaterals. Especially the India bileteral. Do not know the exact details but that is the rea
28 SWISSER: I guess not, we just refurbished the interiors and they are in a much healtier state then the older 340's. A40-LG LH LI LJ are SQ leased and all have
29 Imiakhtar: Maybe they will turn to AC for A333s.These are RR powered (as are GFs) and were delivered to AC 99-01. However they are the -300X variant and GF oper
30 Jacobin777: " target=_blank>http://www.rte.ie/business/2007/0417...l?rss .....bugger...I just flew DUB-BAH-KHI a couple of weeks on GF and loved the service....
31 BrianDromey: I wonder if he has. All he ever seemed to do at LX was cut route after route, after route. The joke at the time was if LX continued thy way they were
32 AlitaliaMD11: Any idea if Gulf might look into flying to JFK again via LHR or starting BAH-MAD?
33 SWISSER: I heard the APU in A40-KC will operate it... (no chance at all!) I don't understand it as well... The Irish guild of surgeons where regular guests in
34 Jacobin777: ....maybe once GF gets its house in order, it will restart DUB-BAH service again....I liked it..much easier than dealing with LHR..that's for sure...
35 BigTom: In today's Gulf Daily News from Bahrain BD 310 million rescue package http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story...ticle=179546&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=30029
36 CV580Freak: Quote from GDN : Gulf Air will shed around 1,500 of its roughly 6,000 staff, but most of the cuts will be amongst foreign cabin crew. Natural attritio
37 CV580Freak: Another quote from todays GDN : "The introduction of a 'wave structure' of inbound and outbound flights will also allow us shorter connection time and
38 BrianDromey: Arent other carriers moving away from this type of structure? DL at ATL and AA at DFW. You can be sure that although the fare was not coming out of t
39 BDKLEZ: Why does this statement sound so familiar to me? Let me tell you why. For those folks on a.net who know me, and for those who don't I was was an empl
40 GFA330: EY will realize it soon off, but by then he will have his $$ in the bank already.
41 SandroZRH: Hmmmm, why does he remind me of a certain ex-Swissair CEO?
43 CV580Freak: If the situation at GF is as bad as Dose is reporting the question must be asked - what did Hogan do at GF in his three years there ??? I must admit t
44 GFA330: Dose has been communicating more to the media and all staff in his first two weeks then Hogan in his last two years. I have heard from a GF insider t
45 CV580Freak: Didn't realise that Hogan can bring on a stutter Agree with you about the livery but 3 YEARS on his salary ..............
46 Sparklehorse12: Shame we won't see the GF livery in Australia anymore........
47 Behramjee: what hogan did positively for GF was that he greatly improved their brand name/brand image and was instrumental in the F & J class cabins seeing high
48 BigTom: In today's GDN ... Unions back re-structuring plan http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story...ticle=179625&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=30030
49 HummingBird: But he said staff were anxious after it was announced the airline is to shed roughly a quarter of its roughly 6,000-strong workforce. Officials say th
50 GFA330: You are right but that did only covered about 30% of the fleet and was branded as "GF", to date still not all long haul acft have been equipped with
51 LXA340: LX is currently expanding again so definettly not. Maybe ex SR aircraft that are still flying with TK and are constantly being replaced with new equi
52 777way: Can anyone explain this GF service: Gulf Air (GF 6307) Operated by Thai Airways Intl dep: 17:30 - Bangkok (BKK) terminal arr: 21:05 - Karachi (KHI) te
53 CV580Freak: Gulf Air / Thai Airways code share flight.
54 GFA330: One last update ; - ATH went from 7 to 3 freq - LCA went from 3 to 2 ( ???? ) - IST currently has 4 freq but is under review, one of the freq might go
55 Behramjee: really? that would be good for CMB but I dont see any future for GF in CMN-Casablanca as EY and EK are firmly established there now.
56 777way: Whats the status of Gulf Traveller? That much I knew, what I'm asking is this service operational because amadues are also showing four times weekly A
57 SRforever: can someone tell me what exactly the isssue is with their 767s? i read on this site that they are in terrible condition, but I guess they must have be
58 Behramjee: planes are over 15 years old each...some are 17-18 yrs old...have done many cycles and as a result have suffered extensive corrosion...supposedly one
59 SandroZRH: Correct. Also the A320s are in a horrid condition, but i might better not go into details here
60 GFA330: One had so much corrosion, it has not been moved yet since March 1. I believe it is sitting in AUH, and will probably stay there.
61 SRforever: no how can that happpen, one would think they would get their AOC revoked with things like that !?
62 Emirates777: Emirates has just brought forward the launch of its 3rd daily DXB-BAH service from beginning of February 2008 to beginning of June 2007. Initially the
63 Behramjee: yes the new 3rd daily EK flight will be flown using a 2 class A 332...thus making all 3 daily BAH flts with the A 332. 2 daily flights will see a 2 cl
64 CV580Freak: The vultures are gathering to pick over the bones I've flown on all GF types and the B767's and A320's were a disgrace, I used to fly LHR/BAH on the 7
65 BA1985: I am not sure that given the competition from EK EY etc there is going to be much of GF left in a few years...shame enjoyed flying them LHR MCT many t
66 777way: Gulf Air website schedules show the code share with Thai being operated with an A330-300 and not 777-300 as amadeus shows. 23:15 09:45+1 GF 6308* 333
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