Gulf Air will sponsor the forthcoming Burns' Night, organised by the Bahrain Caledonian Society. The money raised from the event will be donated to Bahrain charities for various activities.
Commemorating the birth of Robert Burns - the well known poet, balladeer and Scotland's favourite son - Scots and non-Scots in Bahrain will celebrate the poet's birthday, just as other Scots do throughout the world, with a nightlong tribute of poetry, speeches, a traditional feast of food and drink and, music and dance on 26 January.
Gulf Air is sponsoring the event by bringing in main speaker Donald Finlayson and musician Iain Carmichael for the night. In addition, Gulf Air will give away a return air ticket to Dublin to the winner of a raffle on the occasion.
The celebration takes the form of eating a meal, which includes Haggis, a Scottish staple diet. On the evening someone addresses the Haggis, prior to cutting it open for consumption. The meal is followed by speeches from several guest speakers including a main speech, The Immortal Memory, as a tribute to the Bard himself. In addition there is music and dancing.
"Bahrain has a good number of Scots, who fly Gulf Air regularly not only to the UK but other places as well. We are happy to join the celebrations to show our support to this clientele but more importantly, we are happy to associate with the event as the proceeds are going for charity," says Gulf Air Vice President Marketing and Sales Danny Barranger.
"We have, on several occasions, supported events that support charity and humanitarian activities such as the Bahrain Golf Invitational 2006 to help the organiser buy critical medical equipment for Bahrain hospitals.
About Gulf Air
Founded in 1950, Gulf Air is presently owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is the only truly Pan Gulf carrier in the region.
More than half a century later, the regional, geographic and cultural values that the airline has embraced over more than half a century are still central in defining the brand and service ethos within the contemporary and global environment.
Today the airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 44 cities in 30 countries. The fleet comprises 34 aircraft.
Under President and Chief Executive James Hogan, the successful implementation of the first phase of a restructuring programme, which commenced in 2003, has resulted in the establishment of a platform for sustained commercial operation.
It has also provided a framework for a succession of innovative products and services including the unique Sky Chefs and Sky Nannies that form part of Gulf Air’s ‘boutique airline’ vision.
The dramatic turnaround in fortunes has won international recognition. 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, which recognised the airline’s commitment to service excellence. Other awards include:
Winner – Middle East Leading First Class Airline, World Travel Awards 2005
Winner – World’s Leading Airport Lounge, World Travel Awards 2005
Winner - Middle East & North African Platinum Best Airline Travel Award 2004
Winner - Skytrax Most Improved Airline Award 2004
Winner - Skytrax Best First Class Onboard Food Category 2004
Winner - Skytrax Best Business Class Check-in Category 2004
Official Airline and Sponsor of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2006
