Gulf Air to expand operations in India

Gulf Air will operate daily flights from Kochi from December 15, 2006 to January 31, 2007 when the limited open sky policy will be in force. The airline operates five flights a week from Kochi now.

Rajeev Nambiar, general manager, Gulf Air, India, said the passenger revenue has grown by 24 per cent in the first 10 months of the year by maintaining the same frequency of five. Traffic from Kochi has been growing impressively, he said. The cargo traffic too has been registering growth. The airline operates freighters from Chennai and Bangalore. Referring to the fare structure, he said the competition in the aviation sector has benefited passengers. It is a customer's market today, he pointed out. Increase of fare happens only during peak seasons, he said. He said the airline is keen to operate flights from Kozhikode. The airline has not recorded any decrease in business owing to the operation of low cost airlines. Gulf Air has been contributing to the growth of tourism.

The airline has been bringing a number of foreign tourists to Kerala under its tour package, Gulf Air Holidays, Mr. Nambiar said Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman, has won the `Best Business Airline' award at the World Travel Market held in London. At the WTM, Gulf Air showcased its popular services such as Sky beds, Sky nannies and Sky chefs, Mr. Nambiar said. The airline held its annual Gulf Air India Agents Awards function in Kochi. Riya Travel & Tours, Akabar Travels of India, Creative Tours & Travels, Coraz Travel and Trade Links, Air Travel Enterprises, Speedwings Travel & Cargo, and UAE Exchange Travel Services were among the agencies that were honoured on the occasion.

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