Airlines India, Indian Airlines

Gulf Air has produced a record number of over 1 million passengers till June 2006 following the airline’s introduction of Muscat as part of its two-hub strategy.
There was a 30.1 per cent increase with 1,137,482 travellers through Muscat till June as compared to the same period last year.
Bahrain, which is the other hub of Gulf Air, also saw an increase of 32.3 per cent passenger traffic with 2,181,227 travellers as compared to last year.
“In our original estimates, we thought Gulf Air’s passenger traffic through Oman would grow by around 25 per cent,” said airline President and Chief Executive James Hogan.
“But in fact the numbers have jumped by a third for the first six months of the year,” James said in a statement here.
“In the first quarter, we recorded a growth of 20.6 and 24.1 per cent respectively. However, when the full impact of the two-hub model came into effect with the summer schedule in the second quarter, the growth increased to 39 per cent in Oman and 41.3 per cent in Bahrain.
“Few airports in the world could handle year-on-year growth of even half that level. It is a testimony to the hard work and efficiency of airport management, staff and catering companies, Oman airport services and Bahrain airport services at Seeb and Bahrain airports respectively.”
Since the introduction of the two-hub strategy, the number of direct non-stop Gulf Air flights to and from Seeb International Airport has increased by 45.5 per cent over last year and the airline now accounts for nearly 60 per cent of the passengers at the airport.
“We have started to see significant trends coming from our two-hub operation, in terms of crewing, aircraft utilisation and network connections with the full impact becoming apparent in April, following the introduction of the summer schedule. Overall we expect a positive impact on our services this year as a result,” said James.
“While some challenges and uncertainties remain in 2006, notably fuel costs, I believe we have a sound basis for continued positive development in the future,” he stated further.
Meanwhile flights to and from Bahrain International Airport have increased by 41.9 per cent over last year and the airline now accounts for 70 per cent of the activity at Bahrain International Airport.
“Summer is our peak period. Our normal operations increase significantly to accommodate all the holiday traffic,” said James.
“This year, we have also had to cope with the knock-on effects of the crisis in Lebanon, which has placed additional pressure on our routine operations,” James added.
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.
The airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 46 cities in 32 countries. The fleet comprises 34 aircraft and has the distinct advantage of possessing the strongest network across the Middle East.