Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - Gulf Air To Scrap SYD Services

Gulf Air to scrap Sydney service (http://www.arabianbusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11029:gulf-air-to-scrap-sydney-service&Itemid=1)

Gulf Air will drop three destinations and may replace three planes it owns with leased aircraft to cut costs, the state-owned company's vice chairman said on Wednesday.

The leased aircraft would replace three of nine Boeing 767s the airline, owned by the governments of Bahrain and Oman, plans to drop from the fleet, Mahmood al-Kooheji said in an interview. The fleet currently has 34 planes.

"We are considering leasing three additional medium size Airbus airplanes... We save money on standardised equipment and processes. Everything will be unified," Kooheji told Reuters.

They would be leased at current market rates of about $200,000 to $250,000 per month. Negotiations are likely to end in two months, he said.

The firm is scrapping its Dublin, Johannesburg, and Sydney services, he said.

(Article continues...)

This comes as no surprise... especially since there was alot of recent speculation.

Rgds

Gulf Air to scrap Sydney service (http://www.arabianbusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11029:gulf-air-to-scrap-sydney-service&Itemid=1)



This comes as no surprise... especially since there was alot of recent speculation.

Rgds

Just got off the phone to GF SYD and they categorically deny any pullout from SYD! They have had no word from GF Head office as to what Andre Doses plans are for future but would obviously be the first to know in advance if they were to be cutting SYD.

Hmm.....trying moments. I have an RTW with VS, GF and AA this year!:eek:

Will keep you posted.

I've heard that JNB is a gold mine for EK. Wonder why GF can't make it work

I've heard that JNB is a gold mine for EK. Wonder why GF can't make it work

With GF clearly the only airline in the Gulf operating totally on a commercial basis one can really not reasonably compare GF to EK, EY or QR..the latter 3 can be compared as all are heavily subsidized; GF is not. How can one truly know what EK QR or EY's financial situation really is??;)

EY for example has stated it doesn't expect to make profits on the Sydney route till 2012!

GF is, however, in desperate need of refurbing entire fleet to a single standard, get rid of Muscat as a hub and update the fleet to more efficient and newer models, both those factors would make a huge impact on on time performance in terms of scheduling and ac technical problems. While I really enjoy flying the A340 is does use up about 25% more fuel than a 777 for example.

Lets see what happens..interesting times.....who will I fly with if GF does leave SYD ...eeny EK , meeeny QR, miney EY, .....:D

CJ:)

With GF clearly the only airline in the Gulf operating totally on a commercial basis one can really not reasonably compare GF to EK, EY or QR..the latter 3 can be compared as all are heavily subsidized; GF is not. How can one truly know what EK QR or EY's financial situation really is??;)


True, I never thought about it that way. But I think GF's stragety is still quite flawed. For example, look at KHI-JNB C class fares for off peak travel.
[KVS Availability Tool 2.8.1/Platinum - Sabre: Fares/ZUJ/SG-USD] (http://KVS.UnrealNetwork.com/Tool/?R)
KHI Karachi Quaid-E-Azam Int'l PK [OPKC]
JNB Johannesburg Int'l ZA [FAJS]
RT Apr-Mar

Carrier From To Fare Cur Expiry Min Max Fare Basis
--------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- ---- ----------
GF KHI JNB 921 USD CRTPK
QR KHI JNB 1331 USD 31 Jul 12M JRTPK
EY KHI JNB 1517 USD CRTPK
EK KHI JNB 1584 USD CRTPK1
MH KHI JNB 1632 USD 31 Dec 12M J1YPKU
PK KHI JNB 1711 USD 12M JRT
KQ KHI JNB 1780 USD JRT
SA KHI JNB 1869 USD CR
EK KHI JNB 1936 USD JRT
EY KHI JNB 1962 USD JRTPK
QR KHI JNB 1962 USD 12M JRT
MH KHI JNB 1995 USD 31 Dec 12M C1YPKU
MH KHI JNB 2104 USD 31 Dec 12M P1YPKU
SA KHI JNB 2242 USD C


GF is charging only 66% of the price that EK is charging but offers similar convienience and (in my opinion) a better product. If the lack of subsidies were the problem GF's prices should be higher not lower!

I think another problem with GF is that it has two hubs neither of which are particularly up and coming. Muscat and Bahrain are both amazing places, but Dubai has really become a popular destination in the last decade resulting in lots of OD traffic. If GF had stayed in AUH (if it were allowed to - im not sure whether it left by choice or not) and ditched MCT it would have been more succesful.

Cheers

Lets see what happens..interesting times.....who will I fly with if GF does leave SYD ...eeny EK , meeeny QR, miney EY, .....:D



Maybe QF until SIN/BKK and then GF onwards :)

True, I never thought about it that way. But I think GF's stragety is still quite flawed. For example, look at KHI-JNB C class fares for off peak travel.
[KVS Availability Tool 2.8.1/Platinum - Sabre: Fares/ZUJ/SG-USD] (http://KVS.UnrealNetwork.com/Tool/?R)
KHI Karachi Quaid-E-Azam Int'l PK [OPKC]
JNB Johannesburg Int'l ZA [FAJS]
RT Apr-Mar

Carrier From To Fare Cur Expiry Min Max Fare Basis
--------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- ---- ----------
GF KHI JNB 921 USD CRTPK
QR KHI JNB 1331 USD 31 Jul 12M JRTPK
EY KHI JNB 1517 USD CRTPK
EK KHI JNB 1584 USD CRTPK1
MH KHI JNB 1632 USD 31 Dec 12M J1YPKU
PK KHI JNB 1711 USD 12M JRT
KQ KHI JNB 1780 USD JRT
SA KHI JNB 1869 USD CR
EK KHI JNB 1936 USD JRT
EY KHI JNB 1962 USD JRTPK
QR KHI JNB 1962 USD 12M JRT
MH KHI JNB 1995 USD 31 Dec 12M C1YPKU
MH KHI JNB 2104 USD 31 Dec 12M P1YPKU
SA KHI JNB 2242 USD C


GF is charging only 66% of the price that EK is charging but offers similar convienience and (in my opinion) a better product. If the lack of subsidies were the problem GF's prices should be higher not lower!

I think another problem with GF is that it has two hubs neither of which are particularly up and coming. Muscat and Bahrain are both amazing places, but Dubai has really become a popular destination in the last decade resulting in lots of OD traffic. If GF had stayed in AUH (if it were allowed to - im not sure whether it left by choice or not) and ditched MCT it would have been more successful.

Cheers

I must say that DOH and AUH are prob two equally boring hubs. Muscat is an amazing holiday destination and Bahrain an easy going city, more enjoyable than either Doha or Abu Dhabi. Both MCT and BAH are also the friendliest and least inundated with expats making them very authentic Arabian cities.

As such I don't think HUBS are the issue here however Dubai has done a wonderful job of selling itself. For example QR is doing well considering DOH would have to be one of THE most boring capital cities in the GCC currently.

All carriers are basing their operations on through traffic. EK does too, however, it has done an exceptional job of growing Dubai to the extent people want to see it a few days in transit.

CJ:)

Interesting. I just got a mall out from my Credit Card offering the chance to win a "First Class trip of a lifetime to Ireland flying Gulf Air". Interesting that they would offer this prize if they are about to pull out of SYD.

I must say that DOH and AUH are prob two equally boring hubs. Muscat is an amazing holiday destination and Bahrain an easy going city, more enjoyable than either Doha or Abu Dhabi. Both MCT and BAH are also the friendliest and least inundated with expats making them very authentic Arabian cities.

As such I don't think HUBS are the issue here however Dubai has done a wonderful job of selling itself. For example QR is doing well considering DOH would have to be one of THE most boring capital cities in the GCC currently.

All carriers are basing their operations on through traffic. EK does too, however, it has done an exceptional job of growing Dubai to the extent people want to see it a few days in transit.

CJ:)

AUH is boring, I agree. But it is so close to Dubai that it doesn't even matter. I know tons of people who fly EY via AUH even though they are going to DXB. EY even pays for a private car (F/J) or bus (Y) to/from Dubai.

I also agree that MCT/BAH are nicer places than DXB/AUH/DOH but the demand for service to these cities isn't nearly as much as to DXB/AUH. As you said, EK has made DXB sound so attractive that people want to choose EK just so that they can pass through DXB. In fact, I even bought a GF ticket once from LHR to BKK that allowed a stopover in Dubai! The routing was LHR-MCT-DXB-MCT-BKK. Maybe GF has to do this in order to stop losing pax that want to stay in DXB enroute to their destination

But EK also makes a lot of money on O/D traffic. Flying DXB-Europe/Africa is usually more expensive than flying Indian Subcontinent - Europe/Africa via Dubai. An example is in a thread in the EK forum where someone wanted to fly from Dubai to Nairobi and choose EK even though it was very expensive because of convienience and flight timings. The fare from KHI via DXB to NBO was much less than the nonstop DXB-NBO fare.

I have always marvelled at how QR does so well - it may be all the subsidies. However, it is still quite a small airline comapred to GF and EK and hasn't developed nearly as much.

Cheers

Interesting. I just got a mall out from my Credit Card offering the chance to win a "First Class trip of a lifetime to Ireland flying Gulf Air". Interesting that they would offer this prize if they are about to pull out of SYD.


...and Ireland, hehe :D

...and Ireland, hehe :D

Yeah it will be some prize!! :p :D

Still no official announcements on this. Have spoken with both GF SYD and BAH, both state no announcement from Management as yet..same for Dublin.

Let's see what happens.

CJ:)

Gulf Air unveils loss-cutting plans (http://news.monstersandcritics.com/business/news/article_1292576.php/Gulf_Air_unveils_loss-cutting_plans)
'We will stop operating our heavily loss-making long-haul services to Dublin, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Sydney and Singapore. Instead, we will allocate more assets to better serve all important centres in the Gulf and the Middle Eastern region,' Dose said.

It's rumoured that the last SYD-SIN-BAH flight is on WED 13 JUN.

This consequently also means that QF will discontinue its codeshare agreement with Gulf Air and will most probably initiate a new agreement with Etihad.

Rgds

Any idea what will happen to people (such as my parents) who have already booked DUB-SYD flights for later in the summer?

I've heard that JNB is a gold mine for EK. Wonder why GF can't make it work

I have just been informed from their ticketing office in Toronto that GF is pulling out of South Africa from July 3.

Gulf Air and SYD services.

Full details of the restructuring plan will be revealed next week with Robin Middleton Acting GM for Gulf Air in Sydney since the departure of Cramer Ball to Etihad also, refusing to comment on the content of that restructuring or that the Sydney - Bahrain route was one of the routes that would get the chop.

Analysts are of the opinion though that next week's announcement will concentrate on the slashing of a number of unprofitable routes and that along with others, the Sydney - Bahrain route, which is thought to have been unprofitable for some time, one that will go, mainly due to the heavy aircraft requirement to operate the schedule, with the aircraft potentially more profitably deployed elsewhere.

Interestingly, this was also amongst the reasons for Austrian Airlines pulling out of Australia last month.

David Baker, Gulf Air's PR representative in Australia would not be drawn either on the issue of the termination of the Sydney route, commenting that the company had just appointed three new sales managers in Sydney and is currently considering application for the post of GM, which might be considered an unusual action for an airline rumoured to be closing down a route.

He also said that Gulf Air had enjoyed a huge increase in high revenue and high yielding business and first traffic in January.

CJ:)

Here is the latest GF media release... I have also been told all cancelled services will be effective from 1 July at the latest with Sydney and Singapore most likely going by mid June. All GF owned A340s will be sold (there are 5)and extra A330 300s will be brought in most likely from Air Canada plus extra
A321s (we all those 767s are gone)

___________________________________

Gulf Air Starts BD 310 Million “Get Well” Programme

Major restructuring to secure future of the airline and to improve punctuality, fleet, network and customer service

Manama, Bahrain,17 April 2007: Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, revealed a major programme today to turn the company around and to get it well again. The plan consists of two pillars to completely reshape the network to better serve the needs of the Bahrain and Oman economies and, to improve customer service through higher punctuality, better reliability and lower connection times. This will require investments in aircraft and ground facilities. The total cost of the programme is BD310 million (US$ 825m), say company officials.

Gulf Air Board of Directors Deputy Chairman Mahmood Al Kooheji announced today that the airline’s operation was currently losing more than 1 million US Dollar a day and including other costs such as financing ‘the figure would even be substantially higher.’ Accumulated losses and costs, including 2007, would amount to BD254m (US$ 675m).

“Gulf Air plays an important role in the economic development of Bahrain and Oman. But to do this effectively the airline has to be financially sound, efficient and fully focused on the needs of its customers,” said Mr. Al Kooheji at a press conference today, at the company’s headquarters in Muharraq.

“At this critical juncture, we have looked at ways in which the fleet and resources can be used in the most effective way to ensure customers are served effectively, while maintaining operations on a commercial basis.

“Together with the airline’s new President and Chief Executive André Dosé, who joined Gulf Air at the beginning of April, the Board of Directors has, therefore, developed a far-reaching, two-step programme to 'get Gulf Air well again'.”

Better Network Structure allows downsizing of fleet and cost savings
Under the first part of the programme that will cost BD120 million (US$ 319m), Gulf Air will undergo a major restructuring of its operations. The focus is on closing the airline's current profitability gap of BD156m (US$ 414m), creating a network that serves better the needs of the Bahrain and Oman business community and, increasing Gulf Air’s customer service level.

“The main goal of our restructuring and customer service programme is to increase flight frequencies to existing key destinations and to add new connections to major economic centres that are of growing importance for the economy of Bahrain and Oman,” said Mr Dosé.

“At the same time, Gulf Air’s new management will put great emphasis to improve punctuality, reliability and lower connection time for our passengers between their flights.

“We have made safety, punctuality and customer service the key issues of our restructuring programme because we are not satisfied with our current service level. Also, we have to improve the way we communicate with customers when delays do occur.”

To achieve its financial and operational goals, Gulf Air will downsize its fleet from 34 to 28 aircraft. In line with its goal to radically simplify the business, the company will move to an all-Airbus fleet. In parallel, the network will be fundamentally restructured.

"We will stop operating to our heavily loss-making long-haul services to Dublin, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Sydney and Singapore. Instead, we will allocate more assets to better serve all important centres in the Gulf and the Middle Eastern region,” added Mr Dose.

“It is our goal to offer each centre in the region at least two flights per day, and often more. The introduction of a ‘wave structure’ of inbound and outbound flights will also allow us shorter connection time and insure better connectivity with our Asian and European long-haul flights."

The second pillar of Gulf Air’s “get well” programme consists of investments of BD190m (US$ 505m) to improve the quality of its product on the ground and in the air.

The airline intends to refurbish the cabins of its existing Airbus aircraft. In addition, ground facilities, such as lounges, will be upgraded.

The fleet simplification will involve the introduction of four Airbus A-321 aircraft, the retirement of the entire Boeing B-767 fleet and the phasing out of the Gulf Traveller brand. Gulf Air will also replace part of its Airbus A-340 fleet by five newer Airbus A-330 aircraft.

24 Months to Complete Restructuring Programme
It would take until the beginning of 2009 to complete the fleet replacement and restructuring programme, said Mr Dose.

Parallel to the downsizing of its fleet by roughly 25 per cent, Gulf Air’s workforce will have to be reduced, also. Currently, the airline has nearly 6,000 employees. The exact number of jobs that will be cut as a result of the downsizing and restructuring of the company still has to be defined. A portion of the downsizing of the workforce will occur through natural attrition.

“Even though we do not have the exact number of how many jobs will have to be cut, we already know it will be a painful measure,” said Mr Al Kooheji

“Therefore, we will do everything to ease the impact on the Bahraini employees that will be affected.”

“We are fully aware that these are harsh measures and we have tough times ahead of us. But we need these measures to secure the survival of the company, to stabilise and improve our operations and to create a basis for further sustainable growth," concluded Mr. Dosé.

Task Force and Daily Management Meetings to Monitor Progress
To implement the changes as quickly as possible Gulf Air has simplified its organisation. It now consists of four divisions Finance & Administration, Sales & Marketing, Operations and Network. Also a project team of internal and external experts was installed to lead the restructuring process. The team reports on a constant basis to the Executive Management of Mr Dosé and the Board of Directors.

The company’s Executive Management meets each morning with the Vice Presidents to monitor progress in the areas of punctuality and daily operations.

“We have to build a culture of openness, customer focus, entrepreneurship and teamwork. We can do it,” said Mr Dosé.

Mr Al Kooheji said the Board of Directors was fully aware that the changes initiated now would take time and would be hard for many inside the Gulf Air organisation.
“These changes are unavoidable. We need to create an airline that serves the best interests of its owners, the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman. This is why we have decided to fund it with a major capital injection and give it our full support,” he concluded.

I may need to fly SIN-SYD this summer (14-JUL to 21-JUL) and GF is still offering a ticket. I was wondering if you think it is risky to purchase it, or whether GF will transfer me to another airline? GF is currently ~US$120 cheaper than other airlines

Cheers

Could all the supporters of James Hogan please stand up? Would you care to see the utter shambles he has left Gulf in?

just received this email:

Dear XXXXX,

As you may know, I joined Gulf Air at the beginning of this month and I want to inform you about the changes that are occurring in the airline.

During the last few weeks, my colleagues and I have thoroughly reviewed Gulf Air’s operations, especially from a customer perspective. Our conclusion is that we have to radically improve our punctuality, reliability and connectivity between flights. As a consequence, we have developed a far-reaching restructuring and “get well” programme.

The plan will reshape the network, with better and more connections to cities in the Middle East region, and better connectivity to long haul destinations in East Asia and Europe. In the short term, however, there will also unfortunately be some route closures. These include Dublin, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Johannesburg, Singapore and Sydney. I hope these closures will not cause you too much inconvenience with future travel plans.

At the same time, we have initiated a programme to improve our punctuality and services on the ground, for example, better communication with our passengers when there are disruptions. Also, we plan to phase out the older aircraft and to introduce Airbus A320 and A330 aircraft to the fleet.

The Board of Gulf Air has approved these plans and we are now beginning to implement the changes.

I look forward to seeing you onboard.





André Dosé
President and Chief Executive

Looks like it's official.

GF is not accepting any payment for flights after Jul 1 2007.

As BKK has not been ceased I'm thinking I could connect with GF in BKK and fly TG, QF, BA from SYD. For my line of work GF still has the best intra Gulf connections and schedules.

Au Revoir GF:(

Is anyone else here planning a last trip to or from SYD?
sadiqhassan, are you planning to fly in J, and is this a fare or a redemption? I'm looking at whether it is worthwhile booking a trip for someone on our remaining miles.

Some of you also have a stash to burn or move. ;)

Is anyone else here planning a last trip to or from SYD?
sadiqhassan, are you planning to fly in J, and is this a fare or a redemption? I'm looking at whether it is worthwhile booking a trip for someone on our remaining miles.

Some of you also have a stash to burn or move. ;)

Y class, and paid.

Cheers

Y class, and paid.

Cheers

SYD office informs all paid fares will receive full refunds. I have had the BAH-SYD portion of my RTW redemption booking in SEP with GF canceled:(
They have however booked me on a BAH-BKK instead. I have kindly requested they reindorse my redemption booking from BKK - SYD. I'm waiting for feedback.
Fingers Crossed.


Meanwhile, GF is getting rid of its owned A340's and all 767's. The A340's will be repalced with A333's purchased from Air Canada and the 767's will initially be replaced with 4 new A321's. Andre Dose wants an all Airbus Feet of A330's and A320's only. Entire fleet will also undergo interior upgrades as will all lounges.


CJ:)

Any idea what will happen to people (such as my parents) who have already booked DUB-SYD flights for later in the summer?

Back in 1992 I had an F tivket MEL-BAH-LHR return on GF and after completing the outbound there were rumours they were going to cease their Australian operations (terminate flights in SIN).

This went back and forth for a couple of months (nobody seemed to know anything), and the flight showed briefly as being cancelled (for about a week).

During this time GF offered me alternate flights - on QF - but in biz class only (GF said their fares were too low to tranfer me to QF F). This was before skybeds - but during the days when you could secure in advance an international upgrade and I managed to do that for 30,000 points J->F (nice one!)

Anyways - finally the GF flight was kept into Australia - but I had my QF tickets.

So this was all just a long way (:) ) of telling you my experience re GF and flight cancellations - count on a class of service lower than what you have if they reticket you on another airline! (who knows what happens if you're already in economy!)

Regards

LME FF



I a

Just had word that GF SYD is in negotiation with a few carriers to try and create a fare from SYD connecting with GF in BKK so as not to leave the Sydney GF faithful stranded.^ ;)

I would have much preferred SIN but I guess BKK as a stopover may be a bit more colourful eh:p

CJ

Any ideas from when on the SYD leg will be cancelled?
I have the return flight of an already started ticket booked on 23JUN. Reservation still shows ok.

So this was all just a long way (:) ) of telling you my experience re GF and flight cancellations - count on a class of service lower than what you have if they reticket you on another airline! (who knows what happens if you're already in economy!)



Mrs SFSC & I were uplifted on QF31 SYD-LHR in Business when our C class GF149 SYD-BAH was cancelled earlier this month :D

Gulf Air to scrap Sydney service (http://www.arabianbusiness.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11029:gulf-air-to-scrap-sydney-service&Itemid=1)



This comes as no surprise... especially since there was alot of recent speculation.

Rgds
We are booked to fly with Gulf Air (J Class ) SYD/Barhain/Frankfurt in September 07 and then Paris/Bahrain/Sydney in October 07. Does it mean that the planes that are being used for those flights are going to be old planes? We had been assured that the services we had were with the new skybeds....would that be wrong?At the moment the planes that are mentioned on our ticket are 340-200 and 332. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

We are booked to fly with Gulf Air (J Class ) SYD/Barhain/Frankfurt in September 07 and then Paris/Bahrain/Sydney in October 07. Does it mean that the planes that are being used for those flights are going to be old planes? We had been assured that the services we had were with the new skybeds....would that be wrong?At the moment the planes that are mentioned on our ticket are 340-200 and 332. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

You will be called by GF soon to get a full refund as I understand. Otherwise you will need to rebook via MNL, KUL or BKK and connect with GF as they are the remaining Asian cities GF will fly to. The new skybed planes will only be used on the KUL service. MNL and BKK will use GF's old A340's until they are replaced by new A330's.


Enjoy CJ:)

I'm waiting to receive alternative travel options from GF for my return journey to Sydney from London later this year after GF stops its Sydney services. What alternatives should be offered as a minimum given that I am booked First (A) class for the return. Is it likely that GF will offer a refund of the unused portion of the ticket if I’m not happy with the options they offer?

My info so far is you may well be reindorsed on another carrier seeing your journey has commenced. Maybe QF as with another member of this forum recently. Let us know what they do.

Also, if the offer you GF as far as SE Asia(they still serve MNL, KUL and BKK) choose KUL as the connecting city back to SYD if you have a choice as they are using upgraded sky beds on this BAH-KUL route. Other two routes will utilisie old A343's with older bucket seats until these planes are tossed and replaced with new A333's.

I'd call GF London Special Services unit for Premium pax and ask ..perhaps they will give you a choice of options to consider. The number is: (020)8897 0402
Fax: (020) 8897 3576
Mobile: 07940 390868
Reservations: 0870 777 1717

Let us know how u go.


CJ:)

Thanks Cedar Jet, I have spoken to GF today and they have offered GF LHR to BAH, 5 hour wait, then BAH to KUL 2hour wait, MAS to SIN ( I had originally booked a stop over in SIN ) and then QF to SYD. I’m not too keen about this milk run and the wait in BAH, however GF have said they are only aligned with QF and MAS for the return trip so this doesn’t seem to give me much choice. Not sure what to do now. Any thoughts?

You could always cancel the SIN stopover, however, in the circumstances I think they have tried to keep yr itinerary as per the original(which they are obliged to do as pullout was beyond your control and you had commenced your journey AND yr and F pax). They are using GF services and the milk run to keep the use of other carriers as low as possible, thus the cost of reindorsing to other airlines.

The lounge in BAH is great. I would try sweet talk them on arrival in BAH and ask for the Movenpick Hotel. Ask the lounge staff an arrival in BAH.

Good luck....shame you became caught in the midst of their pullout. I had a redemption RTW booked which Ive had to massage so much now Im not even using any GF services on the trip!! All QF, AA and VS! At least I was still able to use points and have my well deserved trip - FREE!

If I can be of further hlp pls ask.

CJ:)

did they say why they aren't putting you on MAS all the way from KUL to SYD?

CJ, I appreciate your efforts to get this info out to everyone here, especially those who have flights that will now be dumped to other airlines.

Cheers,
BB

I also read somewhere that GF is pulling out of Singapore as well, and its cancelling its Singapore-Sydney route. If this is true, then I have no idea where Gulf Air will go from there. Scary, since EK has like 5 planes a day into Singapore and Etihad just started Sydney. Gulf Air is not expanding, despite all the media buzz a few years later. Not to mention that already Gulf Air connects many of its passengers through code-shares. Time's up for GF!

I also read somewhere that GF is pulling out of Singapore as well, and its cancelling its Singapore-Sydney route. If this is true, then I have no idea where Gulf Air will go from there. Scary, since EK has like 5 planes a day into Singapore and Etihad just started Sydney. Gulf Air is not expanding, despite all the media buzz a few years later. Not to mention that already Gulf Air connects many of its passengers through code-shares. Time's up for GF!

I wonder if they will keep the rights to fly to SYD so that if it becomes feasible later on, they still can

Cheers

Don't know if they can still keep the rights, in busy airports (like SYD) once you withdraw from a slot its redistributed. I read a lot about airlines that fly into airports with their planes half-empty so that they don't lose their slots. Sometimes airlines operate ghost flights for the same reason. However, it shoudl be easy for GF to re-commence SYD a few years later on. I believe its the first Middle East carrier to actually fly to Sydney, so there's a long relationship between them.

I have just spoken to the GF Sydney office today to check the status of my flight in late June 2007 and the big news seems to be that GF isn't cancelling the SYD service completely but only scale it back to four flight a week. In any case my sunday flight will still be operated as planned. Good news!

That's completely new news to me. I thought SIN/SYD would be completely withdrawn, but they're only reducing the frequency. Oh well, much ado about nothing in that case.

I have just spoken to the GF Sydney office today to check the status of my flight in late June 2007 and the big news seems to be that GF isn't cancelling the SYD service completely but only scale it back to four flight a week. In any case my sunday flight will still be operated as planned. Good news!

I was informed that flights were extended till end of June then definite pullout.
Who knows what will happen now than Oman has pulled out of GF. Perhaps your info is more accurate. I have asked a few powers that be what(if anything)is going on. With the Omani pullout it will mean extra aircraft and crew idle..perhaps that's the logic?

Wait n see
CJ

Oman is pulling out? I'd read that Bahrain owned 80% of the stake, but I didn't know that it was pulling out completely from Gulf Air.

Oman is pulling out? I'd read that Bahrain owned 80% of the stake, but I didn't know that it was pulling out completely from Gulf Air.

BEST thing that could have happened to GF. Hopefully they can take the bull by the horns now and tame it!

CJ:)

I was informed that flights were extended till end of June then definite pullout.

Might as well be. I tried to book a new ticket online for the return in August but could not find any open dates BAH-SYD. Oh well, looks I have to switch the long distance carrier again as I need some stability for business reasons. Really a pity. I liked their C/F product and pricing.

Might as well be. I tried to book a new ticket online for the return in August but could not find any open dates BAH-SYD. Oh well, looks I have to switch the long distance carrier again as I need some stability for business reasons. Really a pity. I liked their C/F product and pricing.

Totally agree. I've been using GF for business purposes for past 5 years and personal travel way before that and for the price it has been a bargain esp in F and J and very efficient for me. They are by far the best for business purposes within the GCC and the onward connections to EU and SYD were a bonus. I'm still going to endevour to utilize GF from KUL or BKK, however, if there are good connecting fares.

CJ:)

I agree. Muscat as a hub was slowing GF down. I think that bit by bit GF can reclaim its position again and became a world-renowned carrier again. I don't think Oman Air has much of a future except as a flag carrier (besides, its logo is hideous). Well, we'll have to wait and see.