Gulf Air announced the resumption of its daily flights to Hong Kong via Bangkok with effect from July 1, 2003. Flights were suspended earlier this year in line with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) directives and measures by government authorities in the airline’s owner states to prevent the spread of the SARS virus and ensure the safety and well being of the region’s residents, and Gulf Air’s customers and crew.
“However, the steps to contain the virus are clearly starting to take effect as evidenced in the significant reduction in the number of reported cases and the subsequent lifting of the WHO travel restrictions on the affected countries,” said Fareed Al-Alawi, vice president Networks.
“The Ministry of Health in the Bahrain has already lifted restrictions on travel to and from Singapore and has announced that it will permit the resumption of traffic between Hong Kong and the Kingdom,” he said.
Gulf Air has served this route since 1978 except for a brief interruption in the first Gulf War in 1991, and recently, due to the outbreak of SARS, when the decision making provision for the suspension was taken as part of measures to ensure the safety an well-being of Gulf Air passengers.
The route provides air links not only between the Gulf and the Far Eastern region, but also between the Bangkok and Hong Kong. “We are confident of a rapid market recovery and a revival in customer confidence when the travel restrictions are lifted, and look forward to being of service to our customers once more,” said Fareed Al-Alawi.
Gulf Air was founded in 1950. Today, it is owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 43 cities in 32 countries. The fleet is one of the most modern in the Middle East and comprises 33 aircraft. The airline is in the first year of a three-year strategic recovery program. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
