Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has announced its forthcoming expansion into China, slated to commence in January 2024 with the planned introduction of new flights to Guangzhou and Shanghai, China.
This strategic move is in line with the airline’s recent growth strategy, designed to fortify its global network and facilitate vital connections between Bahrain and key international destinations, as outlined in Bahrain’s national Economic Recovery Plan.
Simultaneously, this expansion signifies a significant stride for Gulf Air in bolstering its presence in the Asia-Pacific region and contributing to the connectivity goals of China’s One Belt One Road initiative.
Gulf Air Expands into China to Bolster Its Asia-Pacific Network…
The unveiling of the expansion plans was a highlight of the Bahrain-China Investment Forum, organized by the Economic Development Board of Bahrain.
This significant event was part of a special delegation led by H.E. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, the Minister of Industry and Commerce, emphasizing the shared commitment of both nations to fostering bilateral economic relations.
Dr. Jeffrey Goh, Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Air Group Holding celebrated the news, noting:
“We are excited by the opportunity to expand our presence in the Asia-Pacific region with new flights connecting Bahrain and the cities of Guangzhou and Shanghai in China,”
He went on to say:
“China is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and a global tourism market. It is key to our strategy of calibrated network growth.”
“These flights will offer greater choice and flexible travel experiences for passengers and create new pipelines for trade, tourism, and collaboration, benefitting both nations.”
China, renowned for its rich cultural heritage and rapid economic expansion, has long been a sought-after destination for both leisure and business travelers alike.
Gulf Air’s introduction of flights to Guangzhou and Shanghai is poised to reinforce the strong bilateral trade and tourism relations that have been cultivated over the past three decades.
In an effort to facilitate seamless travel experiences, Gulf Air has designed its schedule to ensure convenient connections between China and the destinations served by Gulf Air in the Middle East and beyond.
The flights are planned to be operated using Gulf Air’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, featuring two cabins of service.
These include a business class cabin equipped with some of the most spacious premium seats available and an economy class cabin furnished with state-of-the-art seating, ensuring comfort and convenience for all passengers.
CEO Goh commented “We are confident these new flights will be appreciated by the international business community and those seeking exciting new leisure destinations and those simply looking to visit friends and family.”
“We are equally confident that customers will enjoy our renowned Arabian hospitality on board.”
Having served the Kingdom of Bahrain and beyond since 1950, Gulf Air has steadily expanded its operations and network, catering to the diverse needs of its passengers.
Moreover, in 2022 the Gulf Carrier was the winner of the World’s Most Improved Airline at the Skytrax World Airline Awards.
Recent network and service improvements show that Gulf Air is becoming a strong competitor against larger Gulf carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airlines, and Etihad Airlines.
This latest venture into the dynamic Chinese market marks a significant milestone in the airline’s continued commitment to providing seamless and top-notch travel experiences for its passengers.
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