Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain – 12 February 2018: Gulf Air, the Kingdom of Bahrain’s national carrier, today announced the appointment of Captain Suhail Abdulhameed Abdulaziz Ismail as the airline’s new Chief Operating Officer, effective February 2018.
Mr. Krešimir Kučko, Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer and Captain Waleed AbdulHameed Al Alawi, Gulf Air Deputy Chief Executive Officer welcomed Captain Ismail to his new post. They jointly shared the airline’s Board of Directors and executive management team’s well wishes and confidence in the added value Captain Ismail will bring to Gulf Air’s business.
As a UK graduate, Captain Ismail started his career with Gulf Air flying the Fokker F27 and later the renowned Boeing 747 fleet that Gulf Air operated in the 1980s. With an aviation career spanning over 35 years, he brings a wealth of international aviation experience to his new position. Captain Ismail has worked both at Gulf Air and with other airlines in the region where he managed major fleet expansion projects including managing a fleet composed of 144 aircraft.
Captain Ismail joins at a significant time in the airline’s history. Gulf Air is now preparing to receive a new fleet consisting of 39 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft, of which 5 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and 2 Airbus A320Neos will enter Gulf Air’s fleet by end-2018. The modern fleet will herald a new era for Gulf Air as it continues to enhance its product and service offering. The incoming fleet will be outfitted with some of the best onboard products and services, significantly elevating the passenger experience while allowing for strategic network expansion.
About Gulf Air
Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, commenced operations in 1950, becoming one of the first commercial airlines established in the Middle East. Today, Gulf Air is a major international carrier serving 42 cities in 25 countries spanning three continents.
The airline operates double daily flights or more to 10 regional cities, in addition to select destinations in the Indian Subcontinent and Europe, from its hub at Bahrain International Airport. Gulf Air currently serves all its destinations with a combination wide and narrow body fleet totalling 28 modern aircraft with orders for 39 new Boeing and Airbus aircraft due for delivery commencing in early 2018. The modern fleet will herald a new era for Gulf Air as it continues to enhance its product and service offering. Renowned for its traditional Arabian hospitality, evidenced by the airline’s signature family and business friendly products, Gulf Air is committed to being an industry leader and developing products and services that reflect the evolving needs and aspirations of its passengers.
Gulf Air connects Bahrain to the world and, as such, is a key national infrastructure asset, serving as a powerful driver for the economy and supporting the Kingdom’s on-going economic growth.
Gulf Air has been the Title Sponsor of the FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX ever since it made history as the first Formula 1 Grand Prix to be held in the Middle East in 2004. In addition, the airline has been Official Carrier of the biennial Bahrain International Airshow since it was first held in 2010.