Independent survey indicates significant public support for Gulf Air strategic review

Conducted independently by the Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research (BCSR) over recent weeks, members of the public from around the Kingdom were asked for their views and thoughts on a range of issues as Gulf Air seeks to re-align the business and implement a new growth strategy to secure its long term future and success.

An impressive 93% of respondents gave a clear endorsement when asked if Bahrain's national carrier should continue as an international and regional airline.

76% appreciated the need for change as Gulf Air seeks to address a number of drastic challenges facing the aviation industry globally such as fluctuating fuel prices, the economic downturn and significant changes in the competitive environment in recent years.

This same 76% also supported the need for Gulf Air to become a commercially sustainable business, requiring minimum government subsidy, which effectively serves the people and economy of Bahrain. Only 12% thought this was not needed with the reminder unsure.

The sample pool comprised a majority of Bahraini nationals. Representing 67% of respondents they were the largest group to take part in the survey. 17% of participants were other GCC nationals and the remaining 16% was made up of over 15 other expatriate nationalities from around the world.

Commenting on the survey, Samer Majali, Gulf Air's Chief Executive Officer, said:

"I would like to thank everyone who took part in this survey and I very much look forward to sharing our new strategy with you. This survey has given us clear support for the strategic review. We appreciate that this is only a representative sample pool, but we believe it fairly reflects the hopes and aspirations of our customers, the people living and working here in Bahrain. Without them we don't have a business."

He concluded, "Gulf Air has a strong pioneering heritage and is largely responsible for opening up this region to the global economy. However we face some significant challenges as we look to the future. The aviation industry is a fight for survival at the moment and we have to be prepared to make some tough decisions if we are to succeed. We cannot depend on large Government subsidies indefinitely but as we look to re-align our business we must ensure we understand what it is that our customers need and want. This survey plays a small part in this process."