Here is some info on what exactly is going on at GF for those who may be interested.
CJ
Gulf Air have announced plans to retire the entire Boeing 767 fleet from both mainline and GT division fleets. The Airbus A340-300s will also be phased out from the mainline fleet.
Gulf Air will see the introduction of the larger A330 model; the dash-300. The Airbus A321-200 will also be introuced into the fleet. Both new types will be leased.
The new fleet will consist of:
06 - Airbus A330-300s w/293 seats
08 - Airbus A330-200s w/215 seats (6 Already within fleet)
04 - Airbus A321-200s w/170 seats
10 - Airbus A320-200s w/136 seats (Already within Fleet)
This means that 9 B767-300ERs and 9 A340-300s will leave the GF/Gulf Traveller fleet. This will see a reduction in aircraft from 34 to 28 all-Airbus aircraft.
GF will move into an all-Airbus fleet which will help reduce costs within the company.
SR Technics will carry out Maintenance all of the new Airbus fleet which will maintain high industry standards.
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The new aircraft will see a new style of cabin interiors which will include:
First Class Cabin
- Sky beds across the entire long-haul fleet
- Install state-of-the art in-flight entertainment system
- Implement latest soft furnishings specification to cabin interiors (GF A340 fleet)
Business Class Cabin
- Feature fully lie-flat seats across the entire wide-bodied fleet
- Replace and improve seat pitch on the entire narrow-bodied fleet
- Install state-of-the art in-flight entertainment system
Economy Class
- Replace economy seats with state-of-art “lighter-weight” seats across the entire fleet
- Feature state-of-the art in-flight entertainment system with “seat back” personal video screens
New Customer Service/Upgrade Programme
Gulf Air has annouced that it will spend US$505 million on:
Refurbishing and updating existing aircraft (as show above)
Adding new aircrafts to the fleet (A321/A330s)
Improve Ground Facilities (e.g Gulf Air Lounges)
Ground handling services will also see an improvement on current service levels.
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Network Plans
Several long-haul routes will be dropped, these include:
Johannesburg, South Africa will be dropped on 2nd July 07.
Singapore will be axed on 13th June 07.
Sydney, Australia via Singapore will be dropped on 13th June 07.
Hong Kong via Bangkok will be dropped on 30th June 07.
Other routes to be dropped include:
Dublin, Ireland
Jakarta, Indonesia.
Dhaka, Bangledesh will be dropped from Muscat leaving only Bahrain flights.
Kathmandu, Nepal will be dropped from Muscat leaving only Bahrain flights.
Timescale Plan
The Restructuring Plan is estimated to take 2 years to complete.
New organization to stabilize operations and improve productivity (Completed)
Improve fleet management to increase rate of utilization of AC (Started)
Punctuality initiative (Started)
Reduce cost structure (Starting Now)
Downsize of staff (overhead, crew) (Starting Now)
Improvement of customer service on the ground (Starting May 2007)
Downsizing of fleet (decommision of B-767) (Starting May 2007)
Review and monitoring by independent safety experts (Starting June 2007)
Remodeled, customer-friendlier network operational (Starting July 2007)
All Airbus fleet (except standby A/C) (Starting July 200))
Improvements on ground (lounges) and in the air (cabins) (Starting July 2007)
Source: Gulf Air Restructuring Plan