Gulf Air and AXA today signed an agreement which makes for provision of the sale of Holiday & Travel insurance from the airline’s sales offices.
The Travel Smart Insurance package, is co-branded. The product is available for sale and distribution from all Gulf Air offices in Bahrain by 1 June 2005. The product will also roll out in Gulf Air sales offices in the UAE and Oman during the coming months. The product provides comprehensive, all-in-one insurance benefits that a passenger would require. Certain covers such as medical, baggage, sub-aqua, over-land travel and hazardous sports may be selected upon passengers request.
“In line with our customer-centric focus and our ongoing commitment to enhance or add to the customer experience, we are working on offering complementary products and services,” said Ahmed Al-Hammadi, Vice-President Finance, signing the agreement on behalf of Gulf Air. “We see this as another significant way in which we add value to the whole travel experience we offer. We believe the availability of travel insurance in partnership with AXA Insurance will simplify the travel process and offer our customers convenience.”
“With 50 years of service AXA Insurance (Gulf) is a known and trusted name in the region, where we were pioneers of insurance,” said Richard Morrison, Country Manager of AXA Insurance. “Our well-established product family, which includes comprehensive travel insurance, has a proven track record, that will make a significant contribution to this new partnership.”
The first phase of the project is underway where Gulf Air employees are being trained to offer appropriate advice on the insurance cover.
Gulf Air was founded in 1950. Today, it is owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain, Oman and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is the only truly pan Gulf carrier in the region. The airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 44 cities in 30 countries. The fleet is one of the most modern in the Middle East and comprises 34 aircraft.
The airline is in the last year of a three-year strategic recovery programme, headed by President and Chief Executive, James Hogan. The airline, which is making rapid strides towards regaining profitability in 2005, aims to further evolve by taking its renowned cultural strengths, which have been gained over more than half a century, into a global environment.
The dramatic turnaround in Gulf Air’s fortunes has won international recognition. In January 2004, The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) presented the airline with the prestigious Airline Turnaround of the Year Award for 2003. Gulf Air was also the recipient of the 2003 Platinum Award for the Best Airline in the Middle East and North Africa, recognising the airline’s commitment to service excellence.
