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.

- - -

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.

- - -

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

Looks like they are following the ME model with an all Airbus fleet and 330s and 320s ... Thanks for the update CJ ^ .

But of course BEY, if only more people listened to the Lebanese!

CJ

The airline's dropping its 4 long-haul services (South Africa, Singapore-Sydney, Bangkok-Hong Kong, Jakarta). Seems to me like they want to focus on regional services before rebuilding its global network.

glad to hear the efforts on punctuality ! am flying with them to BAH this afternoon, will see what happens

looks like they are gearing up to slot into partnership with CX and QF to me... i always thought there was room fro both RJ and GF in the same alliance.

I'm not a big fan of RJ myself, prefer if RJ was kicked out and Gulf Air was in its place.

GF Sydney office today adviced me that GF service will not be cancelled but scaled back to 4 flights/week and reconfirmed my flight SYD-BAH for June 24th. Reservation online shows AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A342 JET as aircraft.

Alot of questions are being asked about whats happening with flights already booked. Here it is from GF website;

http://www.gulfairtravelupdate.com/g....asp?newsid=89

CJ

Sent to me from GF Frequent Flyer today;

Dear Mr XXXXXXXXX

Further to the email of 19th April from Gulf Air's President & Chief Executive, Andr� Dos�, I am now writing to inform you that the above date unfortunately marks the last time we will fly from Sydney to Bahrain.

This has been a difficult decision for the board to take and I sincerely apologise on behalf of the airline for any inconvenience it may cause you.

However, I do hope that you will continue to fly with us whenever possible and to enjoy all the benefits that being a member of our Frequent flyer programme brings.

And should you do so, I believe you'll notice many improvements in the future.

These will include more connections to destinations in the Middle East, Eastern Asia and Europe, improved passenger communications and last, but far from least, increased levels of punctuality.

In short, we will continue to operate the biggest network in the Middle East. By concentrating our resources on fewer routes we aim to offer the highest possible levels of customer service to all our passengers.

Once again, I would like to thank you for the loyalty you have shown us in the past and hope we can continue to be of service to you again in the future.

Yours sincerely,


Lee Shave
Vice President Marketing & Sales

Aww...touchy letter.

I spoke to GF yesterday. They are offering FF points only for the sectors flown on GF. The sectors transferred to other airlines will not earn GF FF points. Also I noticed on the web site A class is only earning 70% of F class miles.

Medowfield the 70% for A has been the case for many years now. Also, they are pulling out not code sharing thus earning on a sector not in their official network isn't going to happen I would say with any airline. The transition period is always hard.

CJ

There was an article in todays Gulf Daily News. Apparently the Bahraini king went to "review" the strategy of the airline. There is a promise to return it to profitability with 18-24 months.

Does anyone know if GF is going to dump MCT as a hub now that Bahrain is the sole owner of the airline? Will they keep the call center in Muscat? I dread having the call center in Bahrain as the Omanis have much better English skills than the Bahrainis.

anyone have an update as to when all the longhaul fleet will be all fitted with Sky Beds in F?

I thought the Joburg route had already been dropped?