Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain – 25 May 2017: Gulf Air, the Kingdom of Bahrain’s national carrier, today held its first Board of Directors meeting following the appointment of its new members and under the Chairmanship of H.E. Zayed Bin Rashid Alzayani - Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism – focusing on a broad spectrum of internal business matters.

Sharing his feedback on the first meeting, H.E. Zayed Bin Rashid Alzayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism and Chairman of Gulf Air’s Board of Directors said: "Today’s meeting was not only an important strategic milestone in support of our mutual endeavours and mission to direct and support Gulf Air, but it marked a critical junction whereby momentum was set for our airline’s future trajectory. We are optimistic for what the future holds for our national carrier and what the combined efforts of Gulf Air’s Board of Directors, management team, workforce and various stakeholders can deliver as we collectively work to implement a business strategy that, as part of the airline’s greater mission, further strengthens its position as a key national infrastructure asset that supports the Kingdom’s economic growth.”

His Excellency also announced that the Board of Directors is currently assessing and tailoring Gulf Air’s business strategy with a view to the airline’s future within the dynamic field of aviation and in line with the national carrier’s longstanding mission. He stressed the importance of professional synergies and collective efforts in support of Bahrain’s national carrier and for the greater benefit of the Kingdom.

Chaired by H.E. Zayed Bin Rashid Alzayani - Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, the Gulf Air Board of Directors include H.E. Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa, Dr Dawood Nassif Dawood, Mr. Jameel Ali Al Matrook, Mr. Essa Mohamed Najibi, Mr. Jean-Christophe Durand and Mr. Jassim Hassan Abdelaal.

Bahrain's national carrier's future plans are geared towards realizing a broad spectrum of positive developments as it achieves full commercial sustainability and increasingly focuses on managing and further investing in its ongoing growth, development and long-term expansion capabilities. Gulf Air's new incoming fleet comprises 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, 17 Airbus A321 NEO and 12 Airbus A320 NEO aircraft with deliveries commencing from Q2 2018.