Gulf Air Cargo has appointed Sam Okpro as Manager Network Planning and Development at Gulf Air Cargo. Okpro, who has more than 20 years of strategic marketing and sales planning and operations experience, joins an already highly experienced team in Manama, Bahrain.
Formerly Director Cargo Services at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) from 2000 to 2006, Okpro will be part of a team charged with growing Gulf Air Cargo’s business
“We are delighted to secure the services of Sam,” says Gulf Air Head of Cargo Des Vertannes. “His extensive experience at other airlines and more recently at IATA, is sure to prove invaluable as we embark on a new era of growth at Gulf Air Cargo. This includes finalising the feasibility into owning and operating our own freighter. This will be an item high on Sam’s agenda. In addition, Sam will be reviewing the Gulf Air Cargo product offering.”
At IATA, Okpro was Director Cargo Services and drove and directed the development of innovative Cargo Services Policies to ensure the continued relevance of IATA to Member Airlines.
He also led the team that allowed the IATA Member Airlines to meet the requirements of the US Customs and Border Protection Agency’s Advance Electronic Cargo Information and directed the development of industry-wide air cargo standards in line with the changing security requirements of various Customs Administrations around the world.
Okpro, a graduate of Concordia University, Quèbec, Canada where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce - B.Comm and later his Master of Business Administration – MBA, also played a key role in the development of a cargo paperless transportation project that will eliminate today’s paper Master Air Waybill (MAWB).
Prior to IATA he worked with the national airline of Trinidad & Tobago – BWIA - from 1998 to 2000 where he was Senior Director Cargo helping to grow cargo revenues by over US$ 5 million.
Other former positions include Director Business Planning with the Canadian National Railway, while at Air Canada he held several positions including Manager Marketing Communications Programmes, Manager Cargo Marketing, Manager Sales Planning and Support, Manager DC8 Freighters and Courier Network and Manager Promotions and Merchandising – Passenger and finally Manager and Cargo Strategic Planning and Product Development.
About Gulf Air
Founded in 1950, Gulf Air, owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, is the only truly Pan Gulf carrier in the Middle East region.
The regional, geographic and cultural values that the airline has embraced over more than half a century are still central to defining its brand and service ethos.
Today the airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 50 cities in 30 countries. The fleet comprises 34 aircraft and has the distinct advantage of possessing the strongest network across the Middle East.
A platform for sustained commercial operation has been established over the past three years as part of a multi-phased turnaround programme. 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 ’smart airline, successful business’ vision.
International recognition has been achieved as a result of the turnaround programme leading to numerous awards for the airline’s innovative and high quality products and services: These include:
• Best Onboard Catering in First and Business Class (Skytrax World Airline Catering Awards 2005)
• Best designed in-flight magazine (American Creativity Awards,2005)
• Middle East Leading First Class Airline (World Travel Awards 2005)
• World’s Leading Airport Lounge (World Travel Awards 2005)
• Middle East & North African Platinum Best Airline (MENA Travel Awards 2004
• Most Improved Airline (Skytrax Awards 2004)
• Middle East First Class Airline (Arabian Business Awards)
• Best new product launch for in-flight services (PAX international Readership Awards)
• Best First Class Onboard Food (Skytrax Food Category 2004)
• Best Business Class Check-in (Skytrax Check-in Category 2004)
• Middle East region’s best airport restaurant for its restaurant in Bahrain International Airport lounge (PAX International Readership Awards 2005)
