Gulf Air won two major awards at the PAX International Readership Awards Ceremony, held as part of the Middle East Catering Conference (MECC) in Bahrain.
The awards, one for "best new product launch" in inflight service for catering, service, design and delivery and the other, for the "Middle East region's best airport restaurant" for its restaurant at Bahrain International Airport lounge, places Gulf Air once again at the top.
Gulf Air is the first airline to receive these awards, launched this year by the PAX International magazine, which is recognised as a key signpost for travel and catering industry on the latest developments and new trends of the industry. The awards are given based on a readership survey/poll done by the magazine.
The awards come after Gulf Air winning the prestigious Skytrax Best First Class Onboard Food Category and World Travel Awards 2005 for World’s Leading Airport Lounge.
"Gulf Air has performed a hat trick by winning three awards in a row this year for its inflight services. The fact that these awards are customer–decided rather than industry-decided reiterates customers' confidence in Gulf Air," says Gulf Air Head of flight Services Michael Kent.
"Whether it is improving our services or innovating new products, customers are our prime focus. We constantly review what we offer to our passengers, and now provide a host of new services and products that set us apart from competition."
Accepting the awards, Head of Marketing Shane O' Hare said it was once again, a proof of Gulf Air's team work, where every individual at Gulf Air contribute their best to win such awards and reputation.
Earlier at the conference, Gulf Air put on an impressive, live multimedia demonstration - Kitchen Cam - whereby its chefs from a remote kitchen showed the audience at the venue, how food is prepared aboard one of the airline’s aircrafts, in an interactive session.
Held annually over three days in December, MECC was first launched two years ago and regularly attracts more than 100 participants and delegates from across the globe.
It is the travel and catering industry’s first and only conference dedicated to industry developments in the thriving and growing Middle East market.
Gulf Air has been the main sponsor of this prestigious event for two years.
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
