Gulf Air to launch non-stop flights to China

Gulf Air, the national carrier for Bahrain, will introduce non-stop Shanghai service as part of the airline's growth strategy. The four times a week service will commence on 16th June 2008 and operate from Bahrain to take advantage of two-way connectivity to many Gulf and major Middle East markets.

The route will be operated by using an Airbus A340-300, offering first, business and economy class service. The service will be later upgraded to daily flights, effective winter schedule 2008.

"China is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and for Gulf Air it is strategically important that we launch into this booming market this year," says Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer Björn Näf.

“We will be offering our sky beds and other award-winning in-flight services, such as the Sky Nanny service, to this new route and we are looking at other international destinations to expand our network as part of our strategy to become the airline of choice."

Gulf Air's Vice President Network Hashim Mahmood says the Bahrain-Shanghai route and the planned schedule to the destination will be the, "most attractive in the region."

"The two-way traffic between the region and China is growing tremendously and our revamped network offers better connection times, which will be an added advantage for Gulf Air customers."

Gulf Air launched a new revamped network in July 2007, which offers more than more than 400 flights per week in the region.